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Medieval History Memory Game-Review

Medieval History Memory Game-Review

My review today is of the Medieval History Memory game by The Classical Historian. Growing up I always loved educational games. Any time we could play a game instead of book work was a thing to be rejoiced. Just the idea of getting to review an educational game made me giddy and on top of that it was a history game and history is one of my favorite subjects!

Medieval History Memory Game-Review

Here’s the details.

The classical Historian offers their memory game in three different time periods: Medieval History (which is what I’m reviewing today), Ancient History, and American History. There are two ways you can play the game.

Medieval History Memory Game-Review

The first is the standard memory game. Place the tiles face down and mix them up. Then lay them out in a grid pattern. Each player takes a turn flipping over two tiles and when a player turns over two that match they place the pair in a pile next to them, everyone gives a rousing cheer (ok maybe that just happens at my house), and the player gets to flip two more over. This goes on until all the tiles are matched and the game is over. Whoever has the most matches wins!

Medieval History Memory Game-Review

The Second game you can play with these tiles is the Categories Game. The object is to place the tiles under the correct category as fast as possible. This game is for older kids.

The directions read “Player two has a timer or a watch and says “Go!” Player One takes the 4 category tiles (Europe, The Americas, The Far East, Arabia) and places them separate from each other. Player One assembles all tiles under the correct Category tile. When Player One has assembled all tiles, Player Two stops timing and records the time. For each tile placed incorrectly, add 10 seconds to Player One’s time. Then, Player One and Player Two switch roles.”

The instructions include the key which lists the four categories and the correct tiles for each.

Medieval History Memory Game-Review

I love the fact that they have included a second game to challenge older kids and extend the life of the game. It would be a shame to have such an amazing version of the memory game only to have your kids grow bored of it before they can fully appreciate the beautiful pictures and the history lessons that they teach.

The Medieval History game is made of high quality material that I feel can hold up to my kids being, well, kids. The pictures that are depicted on the tiles are beautiful and each includes a description of what is shown.

Medieval History Memory Game-Review

My girls had a great time playing this game and have already requested we play it again! I am happy to oblige and will be keeping this game in our rotation for years to come!

I think The Medieval History Memory Game is a great resource for teaching your kids history. It would work great alongside whatever curriculum you are using. You can find this game, priced at just $14.95, as well as other fun history games and history teaching materials over at The Classical Historian’s website.

I was given a copy of this product for review. I recieved no monitary payment for my opinion. My opinions are my own. Your experience may vary.
Mosaic Reviews — A Medley of Review Perspectives
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How Do We Know God is Really There?-Review

This is my first review for the Mosaics Review team, and I can’t think of a better book to start things off with!

 How Do We Know God is Really There

Today’s review is for Apologia’s children’s book “How Do We Know God is Really There?” by Melissa Cain Travis.

I really enjoyed reading this book, though I didn’t read it to my kids. The target age for this book is K-3rd Grade, and since my older two girls are 4 and 3, I felt it  would be a bit too far over their heads and would create questions that I couldn’t sufficiently answer at their level. I do, however, look forward to reading this book to them when they are a little older.

“How Do We Know God is Really There?” does a fantastic job of taking scientific and historical facts and using them to prove the presence of God. The book follows a father and his son doing what they love best, looking at stars. Through this, conversations naturally happen and the son’s questions of if God is real come to light. The father takes the opportunity as a teaching moment and instead of  just say “this is how it is” he instead uses facts that have been proven by science and then asks questions and has his son answer them and come to the conclusion on his own. What a wonderful way to use God’s own creation and our observation of it to prove that God exists.

How Do We Know God is Really There

“How Do We Know God is Really There?” is hard bound and, as you can see, is beautifully illustrated by Christopher Voss. It’s a book well worth adding to your library, and since it’s the first in a series, you’ll have even more opportunities to discover with your kids the different ways we can know God really is there!

This is a book that boys and girls alike will enjoy and will create great discussion for your family.

If you want a copy of this beautiful, thought provoking book you can purchase it at Apologia’s website for $16. You can also read a sample of the book there as well.

I was given a copy of this product for review. I recieved no monitary payment for my opinion. All opinions are my own. Your experience may vary.
Mosaic Reviews — A Medley of Review Perspectives
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Gaining Ground-Review

Gaining Ground

I recently had the chance to read an amazing Book by Forrest Pritchard called “Gaining Ground”. This is Forrest’s first book and it shares his story of how he found his calling in life, saved his family’s farm, and all of the struggles he faced in the process. Forrest and his family own and operate Smith Meadows in Virginia where they raise cattle, chickens, pigs, etc. free range all year round. Their meat is organically raised and then sold direct through their store on their property and through local farmer’s markets. Forrest is an amazing writer who takes you right into his story, painting vivid pictures leaving you feeling like you are right there, the sun on your face and the meadow under foot, or your heart race at an exciting new possibility. With plenty of humorous stories and beautiful pictures, you will be thoroughly entertained!

Here’s the introduction to Gaining Ground:

Upon discovering that months of backbreaking work and five freight cars’ worth of glittering corn have reaped his family’s farm a profit of $18.16, young Pritchard, fresh out of college resolves to take matters into his own hands. What ensues-through a series of hilarious encounters with all manners of livestock and colorful local characters-is a crash course in sustainable agriculture.

Pritchard’s biggest ally is his renegade father, who initially questions his son’s career choice and rejects organic foods for sugary mainstream fare. But just when the farm starts to turn heads at local markets, his father’s health takes a turn for the worse.

Gaining Ground is a story for our times and of a shifting landscape-sure to resonate with anyone who has ever dreamed of a better world. With poetry and humor, this deeply inspiring memoir tugs on the heartstrings and feeds the soul long after the last page is turned.

I enjoyed Gaining Ground thoroughly! My dad spent his younger years on the farm before his father and uncles sold it and took jobs in the city. I grew up hearing my dad’s stories of fond memories on the farm. I have always loved being outdoors and my heart swelled when my parents bought 5 acres in the country. Though they are not farmers, and aren’t really even gardeners, their place still gives off that sense of peace and calm. Things seem to slow down out there. I have started gardening myself, figuring out things as I go along with the help of my husband who is just as knowledgeable (read- we have no idea what we’re doing) as I am. So I really connected with Forrest as he shared his struggles, the huge learning curve as he realized that though he had grown up on the farm, he really didn’t know the first thing about farming, and the look people give you when you say you only want to eat/raise organic produce, meats, and dairy.

What’s so wonderful is that you realize the characters in this story are real people. If I had the gas money and the unction, I could load my kids in the car and drive to Smith Meadows and meet Forrect Pritchard myself. I could take a tour of the pastures he raises his livestock on and probably pet a cow or two.

I do hope you will take the time to read Gaining Ground and support local farmers. They are the future of this country, not GMO’s. They are the ones who are going to raise the healthiest, tastiest foods you will find. They are the ones who are going to teach their children to do the same so that the art of raising food and living a sustainable life isn’t lost in the next generation or two. There is just something about being able to look in the eye the person who raises your food; something about shaking their hand and knowing that when you pay them, they are the ones getting the money, not whatever is left over when all the big conglomerates get their share. You are helping to pay for their truck to get repairs, or for their kid to be able to take swim lessons, or whatever. These kinds of farms are happening all over America, probably in a small town near you.

You can head over to amazon now and buy your own copy of “Gaining Ground: A Story of Farmers' Markets, Local Food, and Saving the Family Farm" target="_blank">Gaining Ground“! It’s just $12.48 or $9.99 for your kindle.

And be sure to head over to Smith Meadows website to check out their blog and “like” them on Facebook.

 

*Please note that the amazon link is my affilitate link.

*I was given a copy of Gaining Ground to read and share my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Monday Mommy Confession #53

Mommy Confessions

It’s mommy confession time again. I’m getting to the point now that I have to start checking so I don’t write about the same things. Considering that we are pregnant with baby#4, I’m starting to live through the same scenarios over and over until and it all becomes a blur. And add to that the “no two children are the same and like to put their own spin on things” well, then you have to decide if it’s funny enough to share even though you shared some things similar a year and a half ago or skip it. Ah, the stresses of a mommy writing a blog.

Anyway, onto this weeks Mommy Confession.

Mommy Confessions

Saturday was Lucy’s first birthday. Being that she is only one, we didn’t really plan anything special, however, what we didn’t expect is that she would wake up cutting a tooth and being super cranky and I would be sick in bed all day due to the pregnancy. Fun times.

So Lucy is one, and may I just say that she is figuring things out WAY quicker then her sisters. When she was littler she did a lot of observing and it’s paying off. She isn’t one of those middle children who don’t talk much because her sisters talk for her, no she yells at them if they don’t pay attention to her. She wants to do everything that her  4 yr old and 3 yr old sisters do.

Mommy Confessions

Case in point, Joel picked up a bunch of flowers for the girls to give to me for mother’s day and wrapped them in smaller bunches so they would each have something to give me. Emma and Sammie came barreling in right away, blurry eyed and matted hair, exclaiming “Happy Mother’s Day mommy!” I get my glasses on and thank them just in time to look up to see Lucy toddling in behind them blurry eyed as well and walking like a drunken sailor (Joel had to wake them up which usually doesn’t need to happen). She made her way to the bed and shoved the flowers my direction. The two older ones each leaned in to give me a kiss, and not to be out done, Lucy tried to get to me for her turn. Her older sisters were paying no attention to her and her attempts to shove them out of the way were in vein. I quickly asked the girls to step back so Lucy could have a turn, and she made her way over as I leaned down to give her a kiss.

What a delight she is! She is always giving awesome hugs be it my neck or my leg, and she always, always has a smile to give.

Happy first birthday Lucy! I’m so glad I get to be your mommy. Thanks for being your own person and not being out done by your sisters before you!

2013 Seeds for the Garden

2013 Seeds for the Garden

We purchased our seeds for the garden quite a while ago, but I’m just now getting to sharing with you just what we got!

We ordered from two places-Annie’s Heirloom Seeds and Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds. It may seem like a lot but some we purchased for the fall so we could guarantee that we would be able to get them, and so we could save on shipping. Below is the list of seeds for our garden.

From Annie’s:

SPRING

Danver’s Half Long Carrots

SUMMER

Kentucky Blue Pole Beans

Golden Bantam Sweet Corn

Early Prolific Straight Neck Squash

Chicago Pickling Cucumber

Black Beauty Zuccini

Pinto Bush Beans

Strawberry Popcorn

California Wonder Pepper

Amish Paste Tomatoes

St. Pierre Tomatoes

Victoria Rhubarb

Tropeana Tonda Onions

FALL

Heshiko Bunching Onions

Giant Winter Spinach

Endive di Rufec

Bloomsdale Long Standing Spinach

Vit Corn Salad (Mache)

Rocket Salat Arugula

Red Russian Kale

Tom Thumb Lettuce

Romaine Lettuce Blend

From Baker’s:

SPRING

Snap Peas

SUMMER

Tomato Riesentraube “Giant Bunch of Grapes)

Bonus: They also sent me a packet of melon seeds that we may or may not plant this year, we’ll see.

 

We’re trying the back to Eden method for our first year out. We’re very excited to try this out. I believe it’s a very viable and practical method. I’ll share more about that later. For now, if you’re interested you can check them out here!

 

 

I’m linking this to Monday Barn Hop!

Monday Mommy Confession #52

Mommy Confession

Well I started off today not knowing what I was going to write for this weeks Mommy Confession, and since I skipped last week I really needed to post one today. I had tossed around an idea or two this morning planning to landing on one of them when the girls went down for a nap and punching it out.

Then right before nap time one landed in my lap that I wish wouldn’t have since it was an utter mommy fail. But alas, Mommy Confessions is about keeping it real, good and bad, so here it is.

We had finished up lunch and Lucy was still in the high chair playing while the older two were supposed to be  getting ready for naps. I was sitting on my bed resting for a moment (morning sickness and all) when I hear Lucy let out a blood curdling cry. I jump out of bed and head in as Emma announces that Sammie bit Lucy! I asked Sammie if she bit her sister and she informed me that she had bitten her on the finger. I immediately gave her the appropriate disciplinary action then sent her to sit on her bed while I dealt with the still hysterical Lucy.

I was very frustrated at this point because Sammie, who turned three in March, has started being physical with her sisters,  stepping on her baby sister, hitting Emma when she doesn’t get her way and kicking. She’s not really throwing temper tantrums and it doesn’t happen all the time, but more then I’d like. On the flip side she is constantly taking care of her “baby”; changing it’s diaper, nursing it, putting it to bed and making sure everyone is quiet so that it can sleep. I think she is just trying to figure things out, but her older sister didn’t go through this so I’m struggling a little.

Anyway, I calmed down Lucy and headed in to talk to Sammie about what she did and why it was wrong and how she should have done things differently. After I got her calmed down enough that I could understand her (because by the time I got in there she was hysterical herself) I came to understand that she was trying to play with her. You know the game we parents play with babies and little children where we pretend their fingers and toes and arms and legs are sooo taste and sweet, or “Tastes like Chicken” as my mom used to say. Well, that’s what she was trying to play with Lucy only she bit too hard.

My heart sunk.

I loved on her, apologized for disciplining her when it wasn’t warranted and she forgave me. Then I taught her how to pretend to bite without it hurting and had her practice on me.

It’s always hard to apologize to your children and admit that you were wrong. But what better way to teach your children what humility looks like and how to extend forgiveness then to demonstrate it yourself.

Do you have a Mommy Confession this week you’d like to share? Feel free to leave a comment below!

Monday Mommy Confession #51

Mommy Confession

Dear Belle,

I’d like to thank you for taking so much time to teach and share SOOO many ideas, thoughts and songs with my daughter Emma. I know you have your hands full teaching The Beast how to read, ice skate, and re-learn how to eat with a spoon. Emma is always sharing with me things that her mommy you have taught her and songs you have sang together. The songs you and Emma have sung together are….interesting to say the least. I always seem to miss you when you are coming over for tea parties, funny how that works.

Imagine my surprise to learn that you were pregnant the same day I told our daughters that I was pregnant. Isn’t it funny how those things work out!

It’s really to bad that we haven’t met yet, since my daughter adores you and we seem to have so much in common.

No offense, but I’d like her to make other friends that she can talk about, like say, Lucy from The Lion, The Witch, and The wardrobe, or maybe someone real from her classes at Church. If you could encourage her in that direction that would be great. No offense, but I’m getting a little tired of hearing your name.

Warmest regards,

Emma’s mom

Baked Oatmeal Recipe

Baked Oatmeal

Baked oatmeal is requested multiple times a week in my house. Whenever I say we’re having oatmeal, the immediate response is “are we having baked oatmeal?”

A few months back I was desperate for some new, inexpensive, ideas for breakfast. We were getting tired of the three or four options, so when I came upon this recipe on Money Saving Mom‘s website I was thrilled. It’s so easy to make, and the best part is you make it the night before and just pop it in the oven in the morning. Most times Joel wakes up before me and puts it in for me allowing me time to wake up or feed the baby.

Baked Oatmeal

This picture shows just how much we love this stuff. Our family of five cleans the pan. I’m thinking I’m going to need to increase the recipe by 50% so we can have a little bit leftover, maybe.

Baked Oatmeal

1/3 cup Butter, melted

2 large Eggs

3/4 cup Raw or Brown Sugar

1 1/2 tsp Baking Powder

1 1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/4tsp salt

1 1/2tsp Vanilla

3 Cups Oats

1 Cup plus 2Tbs Milk

Beat Eggs, sugar, and butter together. Mix in baking Powder, cinnamon, salt, and vanilla.

Stir in milk and oats. Pour into a greased 9×13 baking pan and cover well. Place in frig overnight. In the morning bake at 350 degrees for 35-45 minutes until set in the middle. If you want to freeze this for later you can either pour it into a greased foil pan and cover well before placing in the freezer or you can pour it into a freezer bag. When you are ready to use take it out the day before and place it in the frig. If it’s in a freezer bag you will need to dump it into a baking pan and cover before you go to bed.

Joel and I prefer it just by itself, but my girls like it served with milk. Either way you are in for a treat!

I’m linking this to Monday Homestead Barn Hop.

Monday Mommy Confession #50

Sorry for the late posting of this Mommy Confession. We were busy loading up the rest of the big stuff we still had at my parents house and heading back to kansas (we got in about 1am this morning) It was a fun Easter weekend, but I’m wiped and ready to slow things down for a few days.
Mommy Confessions

Now on to this weeks Mommy confession. Some of you may remember seeing me last year looking like the picture above. This was me at almost 43 weeks. I was quite large at the end and it was all in front in that huge belly of mine.

Well, take a good look at that picture, because that is going to be me again the end of November! Yes, that’s right, we are going to have Terrell baby #4! We are so excited and the older girls are beside themselves with excitement. They’ve decided they are having a baby too. I haven’t decided if I’m going to nip that one in the bud or if I’m just going to let it play out.

I’m just starting to feel a little sick today, I think part of it is exhaustion and lack of healthy eating over the last few day. We shall see! We have a lot of things to work out, like a different car, finding a midwife and things like that, but we know God will be with us every step of the way and He’ll provide everything we need.

Amazon: Make a Mix Cookbook on Sale

Make a Mix

If you haven’t picked up a copy of the Make a Mix cookbook yet, today would be a good time! Right now Amazon has it marked down to just $13.57! It has both the Taco Seasoning and the Spaghetti Seasoning mixes that I use, as well as a basic mix which you can use in place of Bisquick! I use both the Make a mix and More Make a mix books on a weekly basis.

This book is also elligable for Amazon Prime shipping. So if you’ve been waiting for a good price on this now is the time!

 

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