Thankful Thursday- April 18

Before I post the happy photos of my children and how grateful I am for them and my family, I just couldn't ignore the events of this week-- firstly the attack in Boston, and now the huge explosion in Texas.  My mind cannot wrap around injuries and devastation like has been described to us.  My husband has told me that these are things that he and countless others have experienced while in combat.  They shouldn't be experienced on the streets and small towns of our nation.

I am thankful for the bystanders and strangers who offered help, medical assistance, an encouraging word or their prayers. I am thankful for the many doctors, nurses and medical personnel in Boston and in Texas who are putting their training and experience to the ultimate test and who have become like surgeons in a M*A*S*H unit in an instant.  May God help us all......

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I will still post my photos, because I want my children to know I am grateful for them and the special times we share together.  And, all the more now, with all of the devastation surrounding us, let us all tell our children how grateful we are for them and tell them we love them a few extra times today....

There was a fun matching flash-card activity with our Italian vocabulary words:

and I was given my first sewing lesson by Kiddo #4:

and we had a little helper, too.  :-)

Keeping everyone in Boston and Texas in my thoughts and prayers.......

Linking up with ,Lisa at The Army Chap's Wife, NOBH,Miscellany Monday, Raising Homemakers and Modest Mom and Raising Mighty Arrows,, Spilled Milkshake,Crafty Spices,  Mom's Monday Mingle, Monday Mingle, and Just the Stuff Ya Know

TOS Review- Sacagawea e-book

This week I am reviewing Sacagawea: Brave Explorers Every Child Should Know by Knowledge Quest.

Sacagawea: Brave Explorers Every Child Should Know is about the life of a brave and determined Indian woman.  It chronicles her being stolen from her family as a youngster, to being sold into marriage, becoming a mother and her famed journey with Lewis and Clark.

It is 112 pages long, certainly not an overwhelming length, and is written in such a way that keeps the reader engaged and begging for more.  I read this aloud with my teenagers.  I wouldn't personally recommend it for younger children, as there is subject matter, such as descriptions of drunkeness, plural marriage, etc. that may be inappropriate for them or difficult for them to understand.

It was an excellent supplement to my sons' U.S. History studies.  If a book can keep two teenaged boys interested, then you know it is interesting and well written.  :-)  After each day's reading, we discussed what was going on, the major players, the geographical locations, etc.

The book is written from the young woman's perspective and although a work of historical fiction, stays true to fact and brings her story to life.  The ebook has hyperlinks within it that are responsible for helping to make the story more real for its readers.  There are maps, biographical links and photos that allow a student to find out even more.

Sacagawea is available in ebook format for $4.97.  It is a good addition to one's American History curriculum.  We study history in a living books format, so this worked perfectly for us.  Textbooks can be boring and dry.  A story with real characters facing challenges and danger (and a cliff hanger at the end of each chapter didn't hurt!) make it real and interesting.  That is what real education is all about!

Wordless Wednesday- April 17

Ok, almost wordless  :-)  Three of the kiddos got their new bikes yesterday.  They had an awesome time!

Just a quick plug for my giveaway.  I am giving away a cookbook called "Chocolate."  It doesn't get much better than that, lol.  :-)  Click here so you can enter to win!

Linking up with: Judy H-J's Thoughts, Mama to 4 Blessings, Create with Joy, NOBH, Musings from a Stay at Home Mom, Tina's Wordless Wednesday,Judy @ CoffeeJitters and Wordless Wednesday at Wordless and  Living Well Wednesday, Modest Mom,  Homemaking Wednesdays and Crafty Spices, Look What We Did and Do Small Things With Love and Wordless Wednesday Bloggers

Try a New Recipe Tuesday- April 16

It's almost Tuesday and that means it's time for Try a New Recipe Tuesday!  This week, in addition to 5 wonderful features, I am also hosting a GIVEAWAY!  :-)  I have a second copy of a chocolate cookbook that I love to use and I will give it away to one lucky reader!

You will get one entry for each of the following (please leave a separate comment for each one)

1) submitting a recipe to the linkup
2) leaving a comment
3) subscribing to my blog via email
4) following via GFC
5) adding me to your circles in Google+
6) sharing about the linkup/giveaway on your blog
7) sharing about the linkup/giveaway on your FB page
8) sharing about the linkup/giveaway on Google+
9) sharing about the linkup/giveaway via Twitter
10) sharing about the linkup/giveaway to a yahoo group or via email

I just love this chocolate cookbook and I know you will, too!   :-)

Now, onto this week's features.  They were all wonderful, as usual!  My children and I just love looking through all of them and printing out the ones that we are going to make.

Strawberry Banana Muffins @ Lille Punkin

Broccoli & Beef Stir Fry @ Intoxicated on Life

Savory Ham and Swiss Cornbread Bake @ Jazzy Gourmet Cooking Studio

Southwest Chalupa @ Miz Helen's Country Cottage

Italian Cream Cake @ The Hoggatt Homeschool

In honor of the Chocolate cookbook giveaway, I am sharing a recipe for Chocolate Angel Food Cake.
You can use a bundt pan, a rectangular pan or two pans and frost in between.     :-)

1 cup all-purpose flour

2 tbsp cocoa powder (you can put a bit more according to your particular taste and how dark you want the cake)

1 cup sugar

pinch of salt

7 large egg whites

1 level tsp. cream of tartar

2 tsp. vanilla extract

optional- 1/2 cup chocolate chips

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  Mix the flour, cocoa and 7 tbsp of the sugar in a bowl.  Set aside.  Place the egg whites in a large grease free bowl and whisk until foamy, but not stiff.  Add the cream of tartar and 2 tbsp of the remaining sugar.  Whisk until the egg whites form soft peaks.  Add the vanilla extract and remaining sugar and fold in using a large metal spoon.  Gently mix in the flour mixture, folding it in as you go.

Transfer the mixture to the prepared pan(s) and smooth the top.  Bake in the center of the oven for 30-35 minutes for a rectangular or two circular pans, 50-55 minutes for a bundt pan or until firm to the touch and a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.  Leave to cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then remove from the pan and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

If you use two pans, spread one-third of the vanilla frosting over one cake half and sandwich the other half on top.  You can then frost the top of the cake and all around the side.

I use the following recipe for my homemade frosting:

3 cups confectioners' sugar

2 tablespoons milk

5 1/3 tbsp. butter

2 tsp. vanilla

I hope you enjoy it!  :-)

Linking up with the Gathering Spot, Kids in the Kitchen, Tasty Tuesday, Tempt my Tummy Tuesday, Domestically Divine Tuesday, Raising Mighty Arrows,Addicted to Recipes, Homemaking Wednesdays, Living Well Wednesday,NOBH, Judy H-J's Thoughts, Wisdom Wednesday , Favorite Things, Modest Mom, Full Plate Thursday and Melt in your Mouth Monday and Show Off Friday and Tuesday's Table and Look What We Did and Titus 2sday,  Mom's Monday Mingle, Monday Mingle, Crafty Spices, Better Mom,Create with Joy, Thursday's Treasures, Tasty Thursdays and Wonderful Food Wednesday and Mondays with Countrified Hicks and Tuesday How to Party and the Tried and True Recipe Party and Kids and Mom in the Kitchen

Memoir Monday- April 15

Happy Monday and Happy Tax Day!  :-)

It was a good weekend for the 4 Kiddos family.  On Saturday, we did a really fun science experiment that turned a bar of Ivory soap into a huge blob.  It was so much fun to see the kiddos so engaged and eager to see more.

I love when learning is hands-on!  So much "learning" has become boring, mundane and "textbook-y."  A child (or anyone, for that matter) needs to be interested and engaged.  Their creativity and imagination need to be stimulated.  In order for true learning to take place, the student(s) must really have a desire and a curiosity to delve into the subject area and find out as much as they can.  That is true passion and that is what I witnessed with the experiment.   I truly believe that if we don't find out our children's true interests and encourage them to pursue such interests to the fullest, we are stifling the very spirit of innovation that has inspired countless others to success in this nation and around the world.

Another outlet that is of critical importance to a young person's development is the ample opportunity for physical activity.  It saddened me deeply when I was teaching in the public schools that the students in grades 7-9 were not permitted outside once all day long!  The benefits of exercise are obviously well known and to deprive kids of that outlet after being cooped up in a desk for hours and hours on end is detrimental and unfortunate.  I don't think any of us could be cooped in a desk for hours without being given a chance to stretch or go outside for some air.  Many adults use their lunch hours to go to a gym or exercise facility at their office complex.  Countless others run errands or go out to lunch.  They need that time to unwind, get fresh air and move around.  But, youngsters, who have an even greater need for physical release aren't given such opportunities.  Even if my children and I aren't able to get outside due to weather, we will do some sort of physical activity inside-- even in the middle of a math lesson, if necessary.  You would be amazed at how a jog around the house or up and down the steps helps a child to focus.  When more oxygen gets to the brain, there is a marked change in attention, performance and attitude!

We have been blessed with great weather, so the kids have been outside almost everyday.  And this weekend was no exception.

As you can see from the photos, the bikes are all getting a bit small for the Kiddos, so hubby and I took them all out bike shopping after Church on Sunday.  Two of the bikes needed to be assembled, so they will not be ready until Tuesday.  You know I will happily post pictures then!  :-)  Everyone is excited about "graduating" to bigger bicycles, that I hope will give them much pleasure and exercise for a few years to come.

The beautiful weather has also brought back many of our feathered friends.  We are eagerly anticipating  additions to our photographic bird journal and to learning more about their traits and migratory patterns.

So, yes, in addition to the laundry, cleaning, cooking and other "regular" activities of a weekend, there was much fun and activity in our household that has given me even more reason to smile, be grateful and record memories here for my children to cherish in the future.  :-)  I hope your weekend was memorable and meaningful!

Linking up with:  On, in and around Mondays in addition to Wisdom Wednesday, Living Well Wednesday, Mom's Monday Mingle, Monday Mingle, Modest Mom, Crazy Mama, Homemaking Wednesdays and Raising Mighty Arrows and Titus 2sday and Clever Chicks Blog Hop and Memoir Monday and Mondays with Countrified Hicks and Create with Joy

TOS Review- Supercharged Science

I was asked to review Supercharged Science, an online science curriculum by e-science.  This was developed by Aurora Liper, a former NASA engineer, science teacher and homeschooling mom, along with her husband Al.

There are over 1,000 activities, projects and experiments.  It is very versatile and can be used as a supplement to your current program or as a stand-alone curriculum.  It is very hands-on, which certainly pleased my kiddos.  :-)

We used the program in addition to what we are currently using for science.  I would look through the videos/subject areas ahead of time to find ones that would correspond with what the kiddos were studying.  There is a great conversion chart which helps match up Supercharged Science experiments with what curriculum you are currently using for your children.

My kids loved finding the experiments and activities that corresponded with our lessons in our science book.  That being said, sometimes, they would just choose one that looked like "fun" and we would go with it.  That is where real learning takes place-- when there is interest, enthusiasm and creativity.  :-)  My oldest, who loves anything aviation, was thrilled to build a hovercraft.  The only problem I had with that was that I needed to go to three different stores and order something online to get everything he needed.  But, I'm sure I would have to do the same no matter what if he really wanted to make something like that.

In the photos below, my children are trying an experiment that illustrates the light beams in a microwave and how they go directly to water molecules.  Ivory brand soap has air and water in it and when the light beams hit the water molecules, they were amazed at what happened.  Look at how excited all four of them were staring to see what was going to happen!  Too cool!  :-)

(we were using the microwave we have in the basement just in case the experiment turned out messy, but there was no problem at all!)

My kids LOVED this program.  After every experiment, it was "Mom, let's do another one.  please!"  That says it all in my book.  If someone can make learning fun, especially Science, that they have truly accomplished something.  Science has become so mundane and boring and "textbook-y" to our kids today.  This program definitely changes all of that!  I could fill a dozen blog posts full of pictures like the ones above.  It was educational, fun, and hands-on.  We will enjoy using this program for the rest of the year, that's for sure!  :-)

There is a special offer going on now.  E-Science is offering a complete Supercharged Science mini program ($30 value) for FREE.  Visit this link to obtain a sample of science projects and activities.  It will give you an idea of how it would work for your children.

Supercharged Science is $37 per month for the K-8 level and $57 per month for the K-12 level.  This is for unlimited usage for your entire family.  You may cancel at anytime, and if you cancel within the first 30 days, you pay nothing.

From their website:

Membership benefits:

• Videos of teaching real science to your kids, just like I do in an actual classroom
• Text-book type reading to support the material in the videos
• Hands-on activities and experiments, with videos that guide your kids through them. These activities and experiments are what really ignite a passion for science in most kids.
• Homework exercises/quizzes so you can see what your kids are really learning, and tips for how to keep track of your progress in a real a science journal
• A live science class in difference science areas every few weeks where you can connect with me personally
• Parent resources for helping you give your kids the best science education they can get
• A place to ask me questions (lots of them!)
• Recordings of everything so your kids can do the program on whatever schedule AND at whatever pace suits them.

This was a fun and rewarding review to do!  I enjoyed working on the experiments as much as my children.  Although it could be costly at the monthly rate, when you are using the program for multiple children like in my house, it is definitely worth it and can easily be a stand-alone Science curriculum for your entire family, making it a value, for sure.

Homeschool Mother's Journal/Weekly Wrap-Up- April 12

I can't believe it's Friday again.  Perhaps it's the Spring Fever, but boy, my head is spinning, lol.  :-)  We went from almost 90 degrees on Wednesday to around 60 degrees on Thursday and now torrential rains on Friday.  Spring is an unpredictable beast, at best, that's for sure.

This week was relatively uneventful, with the kiddos continuing work on their regular subjects. They were happy that the warmer weather earlier in the week allowed for lots of outdoor time and bike riding.  They are looking forward to their bowling league getting back started next week.  :-)

We also have some great field trips coming up including Valley Forge National Historical Park, the Glencairn Museum and the Philadelphia Art Museum.

On Monday, Kiddo #4 had her sewing lesson.  I have a feeling that there is something fishy going on, lol, since she wouldn't tell me what she is working on.  :-)  I can't wait!  Everything she has made has been so beautiful and I will be delighted with whatever she has chosen to make for me.

I canned fresh pineapple for the first time.  It came out beautifully.  I posted about it here on my weekly recipe post.  There were a lot of delicious recipes shared, as well.

Tuesday's highlight was the kiddos' Italian lesson.  Each kiddo made a power point to demonstrate their knowledge of singular and plural nouns and adjectives.  I was a proud mama!  :-)

On Wednesday afternoon, Kiddos 1 and 2 continued with their new online class.  I also shared a guest post that I wrote for the Schoolhouse Review Crew blog.  You can read it here.

On Thursday, Kiddo #4 made her delicious brownies for everyone.  She made them herself with no assistance from mom at all.  :-)  (just to help with the in and out of the oven part) I didn't get a chance to get a photo of the finished product because it was gone so quickly!  :-)

I also posted my Thankful Thursday post that you can read here.  We had our classes at church and Kiddo #1 had his Civil Air Patrol.  He is looking forward to his Ranger Search and Rescue weekend next weekend.

Kiddo #1 has been busy enjoying the science videos for a product that I am reviewing.  The review will post in the next few days.  He is going to build a hovercraft next.  That is certainly right up his aviation alley!  :-)

All of the kiddos are excited that our little plants are growing well.  We are looking forward to being able to put them into our garden.  :-)

This is a short, sweet and late weekly summary.  :-)  I hope everyone has a great weekend!


Linking up today with:  Homeschool Mother's Journal, Weekly Wrap-Up, NOBH, Show-Off Friday, Learn and Link and It's a Wrap, Friendship Friday and Friday Connection