My son, probably like any number of your children, LOVES minecraft. But not only does he love playing minecraft, he also likes learning from other people how to do things on minecraft.
Therein enters the wonderful world of youtube.
I have to admit, I trust my son with youtube. He's a responsible boy who takes life seriously, has little to no tolerance for bad language or inappropriate conversation, or people who put down faith in God. So when I asked my lad what shows I could recommend for other children he quickly gave me a list of what's good to watch.
My son says that at the very beginning Stampy didn't always talk nice, but now he talks nice. This is the fellow that my son admittedly watches the most and gets a lot of good ideas from.
I know from listening to the odd Stampy video that if you know Stampy, you'll meet Squid. One leads to another, they play games together and have fun making minecraft videos.
I want to call this fellow a boxy cat and that makes my boy giggle at me... and correct me each and every time.. I still get it wrong. BUT I'm getting used to conversations that start with "guess what I learned from Ibxtoycat today mom? Did you know that if you do mumble mumble and then can get mumble mumble. I tell him show me.. and it's neat the things that he can make. Just fascinating.
Number four is the newest addition.. probably watching Mumbo Jumbo for a couple-three weeks.
I haven't heard a lot from my boy about mumbo jumbo but the videos keep popping up in my feed and then I'll hear the lad chortling from his room, or from the sofa or.... wherever. So I'm guessing he's funny and his videos are good. :)
Every once in a while my lad will try a new minecraft specialist but "Mom, he's not good for children" or "mom, he doesn't talk nice" or "mom, he's boring...why are some people boring with videos??" So these four have made the top list for minecraft videos.
Perhaps your children will enjoy them as well. :) May you listen to hours of giggling and have many conversations over minecraft as well... or better yet.... see the fantastic creations your children come up with given the correct inspiration.. like blowing off the top of a mountain with a TNT cannon! Pretty cool eh? :)
If your children have favourite youtube channels...share, share away please in the comments below? I want to know, perhaps my lad will like them too.
My son and I are currently reviewing a program called ArtAchieve. We are enjoying the program since it comes in different formats, a slide show or a video. We are finding both formats quite useful. If you want to give the program a look over they have sample lessons that you can try out.
Anyways, I had mentioned to my contact at Raincoast Books some of the things we were going to be doing, and she graciously sent me some art books to review. (How cool is that eh!)
Lovely book. We learned about her early life, her determination, her friendships, her stepping outside of what was conventional for ladies in her day. She was an opinionated and stubborn lady who was determined to be artist, and she did what she wanted to do, no two ways about it.
BUT WOW.... have you ever looked at some of the work she did? I found a website dedicated to the work of Mary Cassatt and all I can say is WOW.. she did excellent work. I cannot say I love EVERYTHING that she did, but I like a lot of it. For instance, check out this child in a straw hat.
She drew a lot of people pictures, friends, family, people she saw at theatre and so forth. Just an interesting lady and this book gives us a good glimpse into her early life. The illustrator does a great job at bringing the story to life with his full colour art work.
Our next book was one on Beatrix Potter and Her Paint box, written by David McPhail. It's a short small book, running around 40 pages.
What a nice little book. Seriously. My lad enjoyed this book with me. We even learned why the Peter Rabbit books were small "little books for little hands" was something that Beatrix insisted upon. When we learned about the snake getting away from she could paint a picture of it, my lad was quite concerned that the snake got away to a safe place to live.
Like Mary Cassatt, Beatrix Potter did best painting things her own way.
Did you know that the Peter Rabbit books became a story because of a sick boy? It was a "let me cheer you up when you are sick book" and at the urging of the boy's mom, it was turned into a book which morphed into a whole series about the friends of Peter Rabbit.
I liked the images in the book as well, well crafted and made me think of Peter Rabbit and his friends.
Oh.. I have to tell you this part. When we read about Beatrix's pet mouse running through the paint my lad tried to get one of his house mice to run through some dye and leave mouse footy-prints on paper. He had so much fun trying to convince the mouse to do so.. but MilkyWay would have NOTHING to do with it. It was fun watching him try though. :)
Raincoast books was the provider of these books for me. Wanting only my honest review of them. They were a delightful addition to our week.
You can find Raincoast at the following social media sites:
Kate over at Heading Home hosts Five Minute Friday, a weekly word prompt. A group of folks gather once a week to give their thoughts, in about five minutes, on a given word prompt that changes weekly. Everyone comes up with something different it seems.
I have to admit, I've been pondering this word prompt for a couple of days now...Trying to think what the word haven means to me. It's not an easy word.
And then...I thought of my front garden.
How it's an overgrown mess....but of how a wee child stopped and saw my cat hiding in the tulips.
And then she saw my chicken, and my bunny and....
She talked and pointed it out to her mama, and her mama pointed out the flowers, and bugs that I have hidden there as well.
My heart smiled.
I got to thinking about how my front garden is a haven for young mom's. I put tons of things in there to make children look and see, I give mom's permission to come and close and take a moment or three with their littles and just see and smile and look, and if needed, pick a flower or two. It's all good, and it brings a smile to many a face. :)
It may not be a haven of rest, but I do hope it a haven of connectivity. We need to connect with each other, to bring a smile or two to the face and hearts of others, don't you think?
So, the linky closes up in another couple of days. What'y'say... want to join in the party and write on the word haven yourself? If you, let me know, and in the spirit of the party, I'll come over and visit you too! :)
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 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!
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'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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 Himalayanfoothills.
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.
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? :)
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.
Social Media Links for Raincoast Books are as follows.
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.
