Fanfare, Royalty, Combat... A King's Delight

Recently my family was treated to the King's package at Medieval Times.   My son brought along a friend as we took the time for the royal fanfare courtesy of Medieval Times.  This is our review.  :)

 Medieval Times graciously offered us the King's Package.   This comes with: 

 Gramma, son, friend of son, myself and my husband attended.   We made sure we got there in plenty of time so that we could see and hear all they had to offer in the preshow arena.   When one is in the greeting area, you are surrounded by various shields and crests.

You are handed a card, which will signify your hat colour, and part of the Royal Package you get to have your picture taken with the king.

Your hat colour also signifies your table colour and whereabouts you will be seated.   Being at green table three means we were sitting ring side, closest to the action, with the knight who.. as it turned out.. was the King's Champion of the day.

Before we actually got into the show though, they have an area set up with shops and people wandering around dressed in period clothing.   The boys were able to meet the King's Falconer where they learned she was hooded, not because she wouldn't stay with him, but because there were a couple of service dogs roaming around and she was not fond of dogs at all.

And there were shops.  All manned by people dressed in period clothing.  There was a bar set up in the middle of the floor and town crier who called out birthday greetings, and announced which tables would get to go in next. 

 The lad was mightily tempted to by a sword for himself and his friend but found them simply out of his price range.   Eventually the temptation subsided as we found ourselves going into our sitting area.  And here we all are.  :)   Ready for an evening of food and fun.

 And it was GOOD food.  Soup, bread, chicken, corn, potato, limitless drinks (pop etc).   The only thing I didn't like was the tea post meal which was MUCH too strong for my taste.

Before the main show there were smaller shows, the falcon flew and caught her lure, the horses strutted their stuff.. Gramma just LOVED this part.

Then the main show began with the knights performing their skills.   I have to tell you this.. there were a group of eight year old boys celebrating a birthday.. and my.. they hooted and hollered and had SO MUCH fun.   YEAH!!!!   Green Knight YOU ROCK!     And booing and hissing when the bad guy appeared.   "YOU SUCK!!!   YOU ARE THE BAD MAN!!!!"    They were so totally into the show it added that extra bit of enjoyment to the show.   Though I have to admit, the mom with them looked a bit shell shocked!  :)

The show was a lot of fun, even though we had seen it last year, the joy and the wonder and the fun were still there for my lad with plans for next year!   MOM!!!   Do you think next year I should wear my knights costume?    Wouldn't that be fun?

I said "Sure Lad, but let's see if they invite us back next year too!"

Here are some pics of the fun we had.

And action.   Men were called upon.  Will you defend the honour of the realm?   Fight to protect the throne and the Princess?   Jousting, combat, sparks flew as weapons hit.

Currently we are listening to a series of books called "The Ranger's Apprentice". (Excellent series by the by.. get your boys to listen to it.. your girls too!)  :)   It is set during this time period, when we saw the flail at work against the sword, it brought to life the danger one of the characters was in when he was faced up against the flail.  The reach it gives to the person bearing it and the thud it made against a shield.   Made it all more real you know?   Even though we know the show is carefully choreographed so no one gets hurt, it still brings the thrill and the danger immediately to bear.

And so, the kingdom was protected.

And all was good in the land.

By the end of the show my son's friend said "I am so tired, but I am so glad that I came."

Did you know that you too can go to see Medieval Times?

You can.  

The prices in Canada are as follows:

You can pick up these additional packages: 

Did you know that Medieval Times, Toronto received an award last year?

If you want to have a great meal (using your fingers), great service and excellent entertainment, do check Medieval Times.   It is well worth your time to attend.     HAVE FUN!  

The Haunting of Falcon House, a review

A boy.  Russia.  An aunt.   A destiny to full-fill.   Is 12 year old Lev up to the task?   The Haunting of Falcon House is my latest review for Raincoast Books.

Book Synopsis:
A long undisturbed bedroom. A startling likeness. A mysterious friend.
When twelve-year-old Prince Lev Lvov goes to live with his aunt at Falcon House, he takes his rightful place as heir to the Lvov family estate. Prince Lev dreams of becoming a hero of Russia like his great ancestors. But he'll discover that dark secrets haunt this house. Prince Lev is the only one who can set them free-will he be the hero his family needs?

My Thoughts:
I read this book through in one sitting, took me (an adult) about one hour to finish.   I could imagine my son taking about a week to finish it, potentially less.

I have to admit though, I'm not sure what I think of this book.
It intrigued me enough to keep reading it.  
The chapters are short and sweet.
It's interesting, but its... odd.
I know.. I don't normally call books odd... but I found this book odd.   It had interesting pictures scattered through the book.   An interesting character that seemed a bit detached from himself, a rather um.... almost horrible aunt, servants that ran scared and a wee boy with interesting abilities.

 Would I read it again?
Perhaps that's the standard by which I should judge this book.
And you know what?   I think I would.  I think I would like to read this book with my lad just so I could see his response to it.   I think he'd be surprised at the ending, I think he'd be intrigued by the events that happen throughout the book.  He's more level-headed than his mother is and less apt to be alarmed by what he reads.

I think that's part of what makes me call this book odd... I'm easily alarmed and I spent time internally telling myself there must be an good explanation for what's going on...and I was happy that my suspicions in one area were correct but was surprised in another.

My recommendation: If you have level-headed children, who like mildly spooky books, this short chapter book might be the book that they are wanting.  

It's an interesting read, and I was curious as to how it would turn out in the end.   I had this thought, the aunt has an end purpose in mind... what is it???

I'm glad I found out!  :)


Eugene Yelchin is both the author and the illustrator.  It runs around 320 pages and is geared for ages 9-12.   I reviewed The Haunting of Falcon House for Raincoast books.

The benefits of copy work.

I've recently started a review of Notebookingpages.com. It will eventually be posted on my other site, but I had this infographic sent to me and thought it was interesting enough to share. Have to admit, hadn't thought about having my lad use different colours pens or pencils to help cement the learning in a different way. Food for thought eh?

He picked it up on his own, The Deadliest Creature in the World

My lad can read, and read fairly well, but pick up a book just because?   He generally doesn't just pick up books to read unless something about them intrigues him mightily.

This morning a breakfast my lad saw this book "The Deadliest Creature in the World" sitting on top of my review pile and picked it up and was reading it over breakfast.    Now I don't know about you.. .but that's a win in my book.

Book Synopsis:
A heart-stopping touch, a powerful punch, a killer kick....WHICH creature is the deadliest?  
YOU Decide.

My thoughts:

Other than the obvious.. MY BOY IS PICKING UP A BOOK AND CHOOSING TO READ IT INSTEAD OF messing around on his tablet!!!!!!!!!!!!!   WOOT WOOT!!!!!!!

It's draws a child in and I LOVE IT for that.

It also provoked discussion.
"Mom, they shouldn't have included this one.  This frog doesn't attack people.  If they get poisoned it's because they are trying to it.  So he's not so deadly, he's just being protective".

"An ostrich!!?!?!?!   MOM!!!   They have an ostrich in here!!!!!"

"Oh, I didn't know that.  Mom, did you know there's a fish that has really poisonous spines?"

Filled with colourful pictures that depict the animals well and an easy to read large font this book is sure to be a hit with your children as well.   They will be equally as fascinated as we were by the Cone Snail that can change it's venom according to the prey it has caught.   I tell you, this book is interesting.  :)

I like that at the closing of the book the author says this
"But what about creatures that are fragile or teensy or slow?   What about the ones with no arms or legs?   They have been surviving for .... years with the help of toxins and poisons."   It leaves the door open for children to research for other deadly animals of the world, and consider some they might not even have thought of.

To get you started in your search for dangerous or deadly animals, check out these top 25.

Raincoast Books generously provided me with a readers copy of this great picture book.   It's a soft cover book of about 30 pages, written by Brenda Z. Guiberson, and delightfully illustrated by Gennady Spirin.  See also my review of another Guiberson book, The Most Amazing Creature of the Sea.

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FMF: Grow

Kate's word prompt this week is the word Grow.

Tonight as I was sitting I was thankful for a hubby who is mindful of my garden when I'm having a day where I am feeling physically not so good.

My boys helped me cover my wee growing plants as it might freeze tonight and I'd rather they not be harmed by any frost.

It made me think about it's what we're to do right?   Help each other be just a wee bit more?

Like the sun helps the plants to use the rain that they receive.
The rain helps the plant draw nutrients into the roots.

Before you know it, you have a plant growing well.  One that will bear much fruit in it's season.

It's like this with families eh?
How the action of one person helps another, perhaps not all in the same way, but they do.

It's how the church should work too.
One part helping another part which helps another and before long...fruit, in its season is produced.

Something interesting happens though...

I've seen it in gardens...where the plant is doing well and you count the days and think okay.. we should get produce about now...and you don't!   One ends up disappointed....and you ignore the plants and get on with life and one then day you go out and you have a tomato, or you see a bean... and EVEN THOUGH the plant is late in it's production...you rejoice because your garden has been productive.

It's no different with people.
It's no different with churches.

We produce in OUR season.  Not some predetermined course.

Just as my son learned to read later than some other children, he also read earlier than some I've read about.

It's a production schedule that we can't ordain on our own. 
The season comes by it's own merit and we just need to let it come...early, late, or right "on time".   Whenever it comes.... shall we not rejoice for TODAY the harvest has come.

So tell me...what is YOUR role in it?

Review: Nuture the Wow

I have to admit, I struggled reading this book.   I wanted to argue with the author SO OFTEN.
That said.. is there good to be had in a book that you argue with?   Yes... if only to make you think.   And that I think is part of why Danya Ruttenberg wrote this book entitled "Nurture the Wow".   To make people think.

One of the things I like about parenting books is the ability to either read through it cover to cover or to dance around the book, finding sections that appeal.   This book is not only a parenting book but also a spiritual book.  

Ms. Ruttenberg finds spiritual issues in areas I wouldn't have thought possible... or rather, ways that I didn't even think to, would probably be a better way of saying it.

Table of contents:

It's hard being a parent.
It can be a challenge being a parent of faith.
Being a parent changes in ways that we don't expect.   From how we see things (like dirty diapers) to how we live our lives to how we live out our lives of faith.

This book will make you think.
You will (if you are like me) argue with the author.    Through all that argument though, you just might be led to consider your life as a person of a faith, raising young ones, just a tad differently.

Now Danya Ruttenberg is a Jewish Rabbi, so she approaches her life from that perspective.   I struggled with the sacrificial terminology, the focus on holy days and events, it's out of my paradigm of thinking.   A point that kept being returned to is how I matter, how you matter, how your children matter and the choices we make MATTER.   They matter for how our children feel loved, how we feel loved, how we pass along that love to one another and share it around.

It WAS NOT an easy read, and I admittedly didn't read the whole book.
But if you want to be encouraged to think outside the box a bit... this book just might be an aid to you.  (or it might be too much of a struggle) it's hard for me to tell.

Just know that YOU matter.
Your children matter.
Your faith very much MATTERS.  Now go.. live it out as you raise your children.  :)

Nurture the Wow was generously given to by Raincoast Books.   It runs at 308 pages with small type in a compact book about 7 x 6 inches.   Easily packed along in a purse or tablet bag. 

Disclosure:

Imperial Crown A Gorgeous Flower

This gorgeous plant has had me mystified for a couple years.   Last year it grew a stalk but that was it.  Not enough of anything for me to post a pic saying what is this?

Now that it has flowered I posted a pic to a gardening group I am part of and learned that it is an Imperial Crown.

The Latin name is Fritillaria imperialis.

It is part of the Lily family. I think it is so pretty.   It came in a bag of mystery bulbs a couple years back from a nursery outside of Kitchener.   Cheap bag with a whack of bulbs in it.. most of which looked like tulips, some were grape hyacinths and a few others that I can't recall the names of.. but they were small bulbs with interesting flowers.. ah...ranuculus (or something like that).

They grow up to three feet tall.
They come in three colour variations: yellow, orange and red.  (and variations between that).
They come from Asia.   Native to a wide stretch from Anatolia, across the plateau of Iran to Afghanistan, Pakistan and the Himalayan foothills. 

I remember the instructions said to plant it on it's side...I've learned this is due to their propensity to rot quickly.  A friend on facebook said they were an expensive bulb to buy so I feel doubly blessed right now. :)   A beautiful flower to grace my spring garden and purchased inexpensively.  :)

As I researched this bulb a bit I learned the smell of the flower is supposed to deter squirrels.  Hubby quickly said "oh.. we need more of them then!".  :)   They do unfortunately, only bloom in the spring so it wouldn't work year round anyways.  I also mentioned to him I didn't find it really had a smell to it anyways, at least not noticeable enough for my poor nose.

Anyways, she's a beauty and I hope we can propagate more of them.  Wouldn't they be fun to share with others?

Should tell you this, if you want to visit other gardening links, check out the Garden Party.

Five Minute Friday - Pass

So Kate does a Five Minute Friday word prompt, that a few of us like to get together and write on.  It's often fascinating to see how many different ways a group of people can see one word.

The rule is, write for five minutes on the prompt.  So... here I go.

Sometimes it takes me a while to ponder the word prompt of the day.  Today was one of those days. Granted, I am admittedly tired, after being in the hospital most of the day yesterday.     My son had his ear drum repaired, and it was difficult for him post-op.

Today was a quiet day at home helping a lad cope with pain and not feeling quite himself.  I kept reminding him that this too shall pass.

I reminded him of last year, when he had the other year fixed, that he got better from that as well.

This afternoon when I was out in the backyard doing some work I was reflecting on how we'll have to leave this home sometime later this year, all the memories we've built here, it made me feel a touch melancholy.  

As I walked back into the house and shook off that feeling as, I've moved several times in my life, and each time I look at the potentials of where I will be in the future.  Things to see, do and discover and that's a good thing.

For it matters not if you have set down roots, it matters where you have your roots dug into.   Do I dig them into the temporary things of home and garden?  Do I dig them into the one who made my home and garden?

Just as I told my lad...this too will pass.   It will get better.
AND IT WILL.
________________

Join us won't you?   Take five minutes to write on today's word prompt.  Then link up, and join in on the heart of this community and take some time to encourage those that linked up before you.   Is a good thing to do eh?  :)

Review: Class Pet Squad

You know the show Wonder Pets?
If not, check this out:

Classroom pets that prove to useful and have a variety of adventures.

If your children like that show and/or that type of story, let me introduce to you Class Pet Squad: Journey to the Center of Town.   From the moment I started reading this book I thought....ooh.. what's that children's show that my son used to watch.   Hubby supplied the name after thinking it through for a while.  :)   For this review I received a soft cover readers' edition book, courtesy of Raincoast Books.    This book was written by Dan Yaccarino.

My son, age 10, is beyond the level but oh.. it's a nice little easy chapter book for children and their parents to enjoy.

There are several things that I like about this 134 page easy chapter book.

It's loaded with pictures.   In my copy all the pictures were in grey-scale. I am told "final interior will print in two-colour".  But for your young readers, the pictures nicely help to tell the story.

Not only are there tons of images throughout the book, it is also printed in a larger font, making it easier for the reader to follow the story well.

Isn't that a great font size for younger readers?   Makes it so much easier to read.  My 10 year can read smaller print, but I find when he's reading a book with unfamiliar words he likes to use a magnifying glass to increase the font size. So having a larger print size for early reader books make SO much sense to me.  :)

Other than the "nice to have stuff" what did I like about the book itself?

First off the characters grew and changed, it wasn't just an adventure story, but a story of listening to others and choosing to make better decisions.  Learning to see the needs of others and not just the larger picture.

Secondly I liked the determination, to despite the odds against them, to finish the task set before them.

At the end of the book a new friend was made who helped them out of an unexpected conflict.

It was a good little book, animals on a mission to help someone they feel responsible for.  Simple fair for your early chapter book readers.

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Review: Raising Uncommon Kids

Sami Cone has written a book to help parents raise selfless children. Raising uncommon kids - 12 Biblical Traits you need to raise selfless kids.

Book Synopsis:
Many parents are surprised to discover just how little we’re actually modeling the behaviors we hope to pass on–qualities such as unconditional love, gentleness, forgiveness, patience, gratitude, humility, and more. This unique book offers a fresh way to look at molding your children: by focusing more on adding good behaviors than on eliminating bad ones.
Grounding her advice in Scripture, Sami Cone shares stories from her own life to show these principles in action. And she outlines practical things you can do right now to create a home and family that exhibits love, harmony, and generosity of spirit in a self-centered world.

What you get:
 A book with three sections, each section broken down in character traits
One: Your heart at Home

• Love
• Harmony
• Gentleness
• Bearing with

Two: Your Attitude Toward Others

•  Forgiveness
• Wisdom
• Patience
• Kindness

Three: Your Influence in the World

• Gratitude
• Peace
• Humility
• Compassion

My Thoughts:
 I have to admit that the author lost me in chapter one when she started talking about how she organizes her day.   It felt unrealistic to me, and created a feeling of disconnect that was hard to fight past.   I stuck it through though and found things that I liked.

1. She talks from her heart and her devotion to God.
2. Mentor Moments - advice from other people who can speak into a situation
3. Make it practical - when she gives examples of how to make a particular character trait real.
4. Each chapter follows a similar format, makes it easy to follow.

If you would like additional support as you go through the book you can find it here.

Final thoughts: Not a sit down and read book.  It would be a good book to use for a class, to spark conversation and thought among parents as they examine their ideas about parenting children with each other.  



About the Author:
Sami Cone is a blogger, radio host, and TV correspondent. Known as the Frugal Mom on Nashville's top-rated talk show Talk of the Town, Sami hosts the nationally syndicated Family Money Minute and educates more than one million listeners every morning on the Family Friendly Morning Show. She and her husband, Rick, have two children and live in Nashville, Tennessee.

Product Details: 
Received: Softcover Book
Title: Raising Uncommon kids: 12 biblical traits to raise selfless kids
Author: Sami Cone
Pages: 204
Publisher: Baker Books
 Reviewed for: Nuts about Books.

 

Spring has Come!

I have to admit.. I LOVE spring flowers.. Don't you? I think my favourite are what I call my grass peepers. :) Small tiny flowers the peep up through the growing grass. Every year they cause my son to ask "Mom, why didn't you put them in a proper garden?" And every year I answer... "because when they peep out of the grass they make me smile lad". Then my lad just shakes his head at me. He is SO like his father. His father shook his head at me when I planted them in the lawn. Ah my fellows... they just don't understand my pleasure at my little grass peepers... and that's okay. :)

Last fall I moved dirt and some plants around and somehow (I know not how) one of my grass peepers ended up in one of my raised beds. I discovered that it brings me almost as much pleasure to see them come up in my gardens as well. :)

Another one of my joys in my daffodil/tulip garden.    When my mom moved off the family farm she dug up all her bulbs and moved them with her into town, and when my father moved into a nursing home, mom went to visit him so often that he gave up her big flower bed, leaving her with lots of daffodil bulbs to rehome.   I got a bunch of them.   So seeing them come up has that added bonus of a smile of history remembered.  :)    Some of these bulbs I purchased myself, but a good 2/3's are history bulbs.

Should we ever move from this place it'll be a job and a half.. but I'll be digging up all my bulbs.. except for my spring peepers... those I'll leave to hopefully bring a smile to the next people to live here (hopefully, unless they be head shakers like my boys). 

First Full Length eBook - Learn to care for your Pet Rabbit

 

To get this free ebook Click HERE. 

I'm very thrilled to have produced my first full length ebook.

Wanted to share it with you all.  :)

Recapping this week

So our week,

Started a new schedule with my lad,  making every day as much the same as I could to forestall those endless questions of "what do I have to do today mom?"

If I make our days the same, it has a calming affect on my lad... AS MUCH AS I HATE IT.   I like having things different, but I need to do what's better for my lad right?

Highlights of my week.

WhiskerSong had five babies born. 

I did a co-op class this week on Earthquakes. 
Earthquakes are rather cool, and I never knew before this class that they were at different levels, or that they could measure S and N waves.

Canadian Homeschoolers is doing a link up this month on doing Conference Chats.   I did a post on Animals Help Us Learn.



Homeschool Copywork has been a success in our household.    I wrote up my review of it.

 It's been a surprise to me how much my lad is enjoying this copywork program. 

He gets to write on a topic he's interested in and colour pictures that intrigue him.








Come to the Saviour Now was my hymn of the week.    Sometimes I wonder if anyone reads my posts and then I get delighted when someone tells me how they add to their week.  :)  

Let's think, oh.. I wrote a blog post for Karen (it will be out sometime this month).  I also got some seeds planted outside, we're going to have a few days of quite warm weather so figured getting them gets them a good start.  I'll need to put up frost protection cloth for them though.

I continue to make head way with my rat problem (which personally I am delighted by).   I've only seen one little one yet that needs to leave the backyard....I really don't need a wild rat sleeping with my guinea pigs.

OH!!!   I went biking today.   You have NO IDEA... I was able to get in some exercise and MY FEET DIDN'T HURT.   I was so happy about this, able to get out, enjoy the weather without thinking man, I just want to go home because my feet hurt.  I just wanted to keep going.  :)   I'm going to go biking again!!!!!   :)

Review: Mercy, The Incredible Story of Henry Bergh

I have to admit that I am not a fan of the animal rights movement. BUT this story of Henry Bergh was quite interesting and eye-opening.   Horses, pigeons, cows, dogs, bears and more.   Henry Bergh took abuse upon abuse in order to work for the lives of those ill-treated.   Mercy, the incredible story of Henry Bergh is aptly named... one who shows mercy to animals.

Anyone who has read Black Beauty is aware of the plight of carriage and work horses...how easy it was to abuse these horses, and then to replace them.    Dead horses hauled out of the city daily.   Horses beaten and forced to pull loads too heavy for them to bear.

I wasn't aware of stray dogs being captured for a days work.
I wasn't aware of how folks thought they went made in the summer, so hundreds upon hundreds of dogs were destroyed over people's lack of knowledge.
The information about the dairy industry horrified.

I grew up on a farm.
Raised in a God-fearing household where one learned that God gave us dominion over the earth, which comes with a great deal responsibility to care well for the world we live in.. including caring for the animals that surround our lives.

Henry Bergh stood for showing kindness of animals.   That was it.  That's ALL it was.  BE KIND to animals.He didn't turn the ASPCA into the PETA driven movement it is today.   He wanted the animals that are part of our society cared for and railed against unwarranted abuses.

He understood the practicality of working animals, but he didn't want them to suffer unkindness when they were working for us.

He was eventually convinced to turn this helping animals into also helping the children.   He considered them to be little animals.

This book is filled with colour plates.    And I have to admit, it was rather neat seeing some of these old cartoons.  He really was vilified throughout his life.    But interestingly enough, when he died he was revered for his concern for the animals.

It also does cut outs to information mentioned in the book.   Like Louisa May Alcott.

It was a decent read.   Not sure that I would have children read it (as sensitive readers may be horrified by some of the scenes), but if you were wanting to do a unit of study on the ASPCA, it would be a good book to read to help prepare you.

Product Details
 Received: Advance reviewers copy
Title: Mercy, The Incredible Story of Henry Bergh, Founder of the ASPCA and Friend to Animals.
Author: Nancy Furstinger
Pages: 175
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Books for Young Readers
Reviewed for: Raincoast Books

The Land Of Story-books

Today my son and I enjoyed this poem. After I finished reading it I said to my lad "boy this poem makes me think of you."
He laughed and said "I know mom.   And it makes me think of you too!".

I laughed too.

It's good to laugh with a boy over good poetry isn't it?

I could have gone into the form and structure of the poem, but for today.. it was just good to laugh with a boy child.  :)

The Land of Story-books
by Robert Louis Stevenson
 At evening when the lamp is lit,
Around the fire my parents sit;
They sit at home and talk and sing,
And do not play at anything.

Now, with my little gun, I crawl
All in the dark along the wall,
And follow round the forest track
Away behind the sofa back.

There, in the night, where none can spy,
All in my hunter's camp I lie,
And play at books that I have read
Till it is time to go to bed.

These are the hills, these are the woods,
These are my starry solitudes;
And there the river by whose brink
The roaring lions come to drink.

I see the others far away
As if in firelit camp they lay,
And I, like to an Indian scout,
Around their party prowled about.

So when my nurse comes in for me,
Home I return across the sea,
And go to bed with backward looks
At my dear land of Story-books.

Recent Posts March 28-April 3, 2016

Since I'm moving from one blog to the other and trying make the transition smooth.. I thought I'd start a weekly feature where I list the posts that I've written over here.  :)

I reviewed a book that my son totally loved.  SuperHeroes don't eat Veggie Burgers.

Figured out my curriculum for Grade six, and learned today I should have his writing program covered for next year as well (if it all works out as it should).

Reviewed an animal bok called Bridge to the Wild.  This was an interesting read I am glad I persisted in reading.

I participated in a five day blog hop on Tips for homeschooling parents.

day one:The Importance of family.
day two: Working and the Homeschool Life.
day three: Tips: Knowing when to take a break.
day four: Tips: Handling Curve Balls
day five: Knowing you have to decide.












Two reviews for early readers.  Paul Meets Jesus and Elijah, God's Mighty Prophet.

Hymn Study on Low, in the Grave he lay.   This hymn is also called "Christ Arose" and was written by Rev. Lowry from the USA.

The Language Arts program I'll be using next year called Logic of English.   This I will use for grammar, spelling etc.   While I will hopefully be using Virtual Education Systems for a writing program.

I did a first last week.. made my first printable!   Marsupial Gliders. 

It was a rather busy week.  :)   It was fun though and gave me something to do while recovering from this frustrating cold I am enduring.

Review:Ghost in the Key of A

I rarely review books for Ascot Media... the titles rarely resonate with me, but  Ghost in the Key of A intrigued me.    AND I was right to be intrigued, T. Katz wrote a book that immediately grabbed my interest and had me saying "I want to read this book with my boy!"

Book Synopsis:
Ghost in the Key of A: Pythagoras follows Pricilla, a budding young pianist whose piano is plagued by a quirky ghost after she discovers a sticky "A” key. The ghost teaches her some of the most fascinating things about music history.  She soon finds synergies in these lessons and her own life.  Readers will find Ghost in the Key of A: Pythagoras engaging and inspirational.    

My Thoughts: 
What a neat book.  I loved it.   Priscilla, living in a family where a mom encourages artistic expression and a father who well.... just doesn't get it.   Priscilla is floundering, not knowing how to fit in with her father, how to do her music when she wants to play with friends, and how to show her dad she can study the subjects important to him as well.

It's just so hard for her to focus on her music at times, it all seems like such a drudgery. Enter Pythagoras.  He's the ghost who lives in the Key of A. Pythagoras brings a new air of interest to Priscilla as she practices her music. He teaches her various aspects of music and musical terms, and her confidence increases.    

This book could easily be used for a beginning music theory class.  :)

It's an interesting book with small illustrations scattered throughout that expand the knowledge base of the reader.     Good book.  

Product Details:
Received: Softcover Book
Title: Ghost in the Key of A
Author: T. Katz
Pages: 79
Publisher: LuLu.com    
Price: $3.98 (ebook), $9.25 (book)
Reviewed for: Ascot Media