Just in time for the BIG day... Colortime Crafts and Markers

 Another neat idea for those children that love to create and just in time for Christmas.
Since 1990, over 5 million children and adults have loved creating t-shirts, pillowcases, backpacks, tote bags, bandanas, and more for parties, slumber parties, and scout meetings with our permanent fabric markers. We have provided our customers the opportunity to entertain their guests with a creative activity that becomes a permanent keepsake. Also, we are a licensed vendor of the Girl Scouts of America. Check out our wholesale program, great for your organizations.

We also offer free downloadable coloring pages (http://www.colortime.com/Free-Coloring-Pages-c64.html) and a "Birthday Club" (http://www.colortime.com/Birthday-Club-c85.html) with special incentives.

Get 15% off all orders Promo Code: 15USFG when you check out at colortime.com

 

 

Thanksgiving Lapbook

 Thanksgiving is defined by many as a time of being with those you love and suddenly realizing how incredibly blessed and thankful you are. Well my children and I were hard at work on the days preceding the holiday working on our Thanksgiving Lapbook. I had purchased this lapbook from Hands of a Child awhile ago and decided since it was sitting in my computer collecting dust that maybe we should just do it! So we did. And below are some of the fruits of our labor.

There are so many attributes to Hands of a Child. My children love their products the best. They are usually more accurate and just way cooler is some of the comments I hear from them. Right now this project pack is $14.00,but well worth it. It contains 84 total pages and that is plenty to keep little hands busy. If you are interested here is the link to the one pictured. My kiddos really enjoy doing lapbooks. I try not to do them that often but holidays we do it as an "extra". They have freebies every month and they also have a an e- book that they put on sale each week to help save you some money. They are such an awesome resource to our family. If you are ever curious about there products it definitely pays to check them out.
 Catch us in a few weeks we will be doing one for Christmas!

**Disclosure** The opinions expressed in this review were my own. I was not given any compensation for this review. I purchased the above named product.

Review: Uncle Jesus by: Georgia Lee Anderson

ISBN:978-1-57258-791-5

About the Book:
 Uncle Jesus is a heartwarming story that helps us imagine what it would have been like to be Jesus’ relative while He lived on earth. Jesus had brothers, including one named Jude, the author of the Bible book of the same name. In Uncle Jesus, Jude’s fictional son, Shem, visits Grandma Mary, the mother of Jesus, and relates some first-hand experiences he had with his Uncle Jesus when He was still on earth. An inquisitive, genuine, sweet little boy, Shem asks Grandma Mary about Jesus, about his other uncles’ view of Jesus, and about her own experiences.

About the Author:
 Although currently living in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Georgia Lee Anderson has called Chehalis,Washington, home for more than thirty years. Over the years she has been active in heading up the Sabbath School program at her church and leading out in women's ministry programs at her local church and at the conference level.
 In her spare time, she enjoys writing poetry and short stories. Uncle Jesus has been forming in her imagination for quite some time. Once she retired it came to life. "My reason for writing this story is that I want children to know that Jesus has a family. He lived like most boys in his neighborhood. I want children to embrace the fact that they can relate to Jesus."

My Review:
 This is such a sweet story about a little boy by the name of Shem who has come along with his father Jude to visit his grandmother Mary. As the story unfolds the little boy wants to speak to his grandmother about the memories he has of his Uncle Jesus and how he misses him. There were certain memories of other instances that the boy remembers such as how he and his friends went to hear his uncle speak and how some of the disciples were a little put off by their attendance. Shem described how Jesus would hear none of it and said that the children could stay and listen. Shem was delighted that Jesus gave each one a special blessing.
 Mary also described a time and certain events that some were unaware of. About how the angel came and told her that she would bear a son and call Him Jesus. She also spoke to Shem's uncles about the angels announcing Jesus' birth to the shepherds. Then she proceeded to tell Shem about the three wise men that came to visit Jesus as a baby, how they brought Him gifts, and she showed the three empty boxes to Shem.
I always wondered about Jesus' family and what it would be like to take a moment and step into their world. I'm sure they were much like the rest of us but so much more blessed than we are; to have known such a wonderful King.

 If you are interested in purchasing this book you can check it out here: Uncle Jesus *

* This link contains an affiliate link.


Disclosure of Material: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookCrash.com book review program, which requires an honest, though not necessarily positive, review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s CFR Title 16, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Review: Activity Bags LLC :Reading Games E book

Activity Bags are quite simply put activities in a bag for your younger grade children that cost very little to put together. And are self guided meaning that they can do most of the activity on their own. Originally, the owners of Activity Bags,LLC wanted to produce a product guided towards preschoolers. But as they soon found out through a lot of other homeschooling parents their products were also enjoyed by older students. My boys had quite a time with the e book they had chosen to do. The product that they chose can be found here. Reading Games in a bag includes 20 reading game instructions for new and beginning readers. My boys have been readers for awhile but always could use some remedial work that is just plain fun. And that I believe, is what the makers of Activity Bags, LLC. wanted to achieve all along.

 Sherry and Paula both homeschool moms felt like we all do. 'There has to be something that we could put together for our preschoolers that would help them learn better without it  feeling like a monumental task that they could do without moms help'. Reading Games has many different options especially if you have a child that is already proficient in certain areas. So these games are easily adaptable to every student in your homeschool.
 They have also put together what they refer to as a "swap". A swap is where you get a group of children together to work on the activities as a group. For a complete explanation of what is involved in a swap you can find that at this link. For a listing of all of the current products they offer please go to this link.
 With every product you purchase from Activity Bags you are given a complete listing of products you will need to provide as a go along with the project and there are complete instructions for every aspect of the activity.

**Disclosure** This product was provided to me for free for my honest review.

A Christmas Blessing Giveaway

Merriam-Webster defines blessing as the act or words of one that blesses, approval, encouragement, a thing conducive to happiness or welfare. Thomas Goodwin once said “Those blessings are sweetest that are won with prayer and worn with thanks.”

Christmas time, one of the most joyous times of year, can quickly turn into a pull-out-my-hair, if- someone-gives-me-one-more-fruitcake-I’m-going-to-throw-it, when-will-this-holiday-finally-be-over season.   When we should be celebrating the birth of the One who came to save us, we are stressing over piles of wrapping paper, baked goods and party invitations.  The busyness steals our peace and robs us of joy.  So how can this holiday season peaceful?  How can we remain joyful?

Woman to Woman Ministries presents the Christmas Blessing Giveaway!  Join thirty-two bloggers for ideas and advice on how to remain peaceful in a stressful season.

In addition to sweet encouragement on keeping the peace in your home and heart, we are giving away a blessing of $320 in PayPal cash.  The winner will have the money transferred to their PayPal account where they can use it for Christmas celebrations, groceries, bills, whatever they need.  To enter to win simply complete all of the tasks in the rafflecopter below.  

Christmas Blessing Giveaway Rules:

No purchase necessary.  Must be 18 to enter.  Void where prohibited by law.  This giveaway is in no way sponsored, endorsed, or associated by Facebook.  By entering this giveaway, you agree to release Facebook, Woman to Woman Ministries and all participating blogs of all liability.  Contest ends at 12:01am EST on Tuesday, December 11, 2012.  Winner is randomly chosen by Rafflecopter and will be emailed on December 11, 2012, then funds will be transferred to winner's PayPal account.

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review: Fire of the Raging Dragon by: Don Brown

About the Book:
 In the very near future, China, now the world’s largest industrial producer and consumer of Mideast Oil, passes a law that all new cars manufactured in that nation will be operated on natural gas. Beneath the floor of the South China Sea, around the contested Spratly Islands, billions of gallons of natural gas wait to be mined. But at the center of the Spratlys, the remote but strategic island of Itu Aba is occupied by China’s historic enemy, Taiwan.
When the new, power-hungry Chinese President, Tang Qhichen, orders Chinese Naval forces to attack Taiwanese forces on Itu Aba, U.S. President Douglas Surber responds, ordering the U.S. Seventh Fleet to try and quell a burgeoning naval showdown between the two Chinas.
Aboard the submarine tender U.S.S. Emory S. Land, one of the first ships in the naval war zone, is Ensign Stephanie Surber, a recent Naval Academy graduate who is also the First Daughter of the United States. As the Emory S. Land steams into harm’s way, Ensign Surber’s life is gravely threatened. The President must make a decision. Will he take a stand against evil? Or will he save the life of his daughter?

About the Author:
 Don Brown is the author of Malacca Conspiracy, The Navy Justice Series and Black Sea Affair, a submarine thriller that predicted the 2008 shooting war between Russia and Georgia. Don served five years in the U.S. Navy as an officer in the Judge Advocate General's (JAG) Corps, which gave him an exceptional vantage point into both the Navy and the inner workings of 'inside-the-beltway' as an action officer assigned to the pentagon. He left active duty in 1992 to pursue private practice, but remained on inactive status through 1999, rising to the rank of Lieutenant Commander. He and his family live in North Carolina, where he pursues his passion for penning novels about the Navy.

My Review:
 This book really did not meet my expectations. I'm sure it was probably because I'm a girl that is more into sweet, real life type love stories and this was a type of war story. I thought it would be something I would be able to sink my teeth into. But it was not my cup of tea. So I will do my best to provide a fair and honest review. The book begins with Lieutenant Wang Ju firing missiles at porpoises. And then switches to Stephanie she is the daughter of the President of the United States and she ends up getting kidnapped by China along with a ship full of people. In the beginning they don't know that she is the President's daughter.
 She eventually falls for Gunner which just happens to be her commanding officer. He comes to rescue her but to leave they have to shoot their way out. They separate and as he makes his way to help the others she gets wounded out on her own and has to shut herself off from everyone. She eventually survives along with everyone else even her love interest. This book takes place during the rise of communism in China that began in 1927 and raged on for 10 more years. It was a war between the "two Chinas" consisting of the "Republic of China in Taiwan and the Communist "People's Republic of China" in Beijing.
 If you are interested in this book you can check it out here.

**Disclosure** I received this book for free from the publisher for my honest review.
 

Kelly Kits BIG Sale!

DON'T MISS OUT ON THIS ONE!
 


Kelly Kits encourage art play using a wide variety of creative tools & materials beyond what coloring books can offer and are the perfect holiday gift for your creative kiddo!  For 72 hours only Kelly Kits is having a site wide sale where all products are 10% off!  Get your favorite little artist a years worth of art kits or a special gift pack with 5 activities that explore the five discipline of art:  Drawing, Painting, Print Making, Collage & Sculpting!

Smokin' Hot $700 Shopilly Holiday Cash Giveaway

Smokin' Hot $700 Shopilly Holiday Cash Giveaway

Shopilly makes shopping a pleasure. Welcome to the Smokin' Hot $700 Shopilly Giveaway sponsored byLike a Bump on a Blog, with considerable help from the lovely Lexie Lane at VoiceBoks and Bridget at Giveaway Promote. Enjoy the post provided by our generous sponsor, Shopilly, to learn more about them, and then enter via our Rafflecopter entry at the end. It’s a cold Sunday night, and I’m huddled on my couch, flipping through never-ending channels on TV. I think I get about 400 channels, and it can be overwhelming to decide what to watch DWTS, Idol, The Voice? Luckily, my trusty DVR puts all the shows I like -- and only those shows -- in one place, where they wait patiently for me to catch up on them. What your Shopilly Dashboard looks like Email is a little like TV. Every day I get tons of emails from my favorite brands, retailers and flash sites. I love getting all of that information and having so many choices, but my inbox is getting a little out of control. It's nearly impossible to sort through the clutter to find emails I really care about, and I have to select and delete almost all of the marketing emails, always wondering whether I should opt out or stick around to see if something actually relevant lands in my inbox. But I've discovered that now there's a DVR for email! It’s called Shopilly. By signing up for a free account, I can ask Shopilly to automatically pull all of the marketing emails from my email inbox and put them in a fun "visual inbox" in my Shopilly account, where I can review them when I’m ready. My inbox is totally clean; it’s like a breath of fresh air. And when the time is right for me to check out my latest offers, they’re neatly collected for me at Shopilly.

Shopilly is organizing my email inbox for me, and that’s great. But it’s more than that. On Shopilly, I can also opt in to view offers from other brands I wouldn't have discovered otherwise. The way they’re presented makes it really easy to check out all of my options and to add or remove offers from my window shop. It’s like visiting my own personalized shopping mall right from the comfort of my couch. Now, where did I put that remote control? Improve your shopping life at Shopilly today and tell us what you think at contact@shopilly.com.

****************************************************************

If you're ready to enter the giveaway and make your holiday shopping even sweeter, you may do so below now (All entries must be completed to be eligible)! a Rafflecopter giveaway Good luck and happy winning! ;-) Please share this post with other people who might need extra shopping money this holiday season. If you missed the last post, read it here: Islands of Adventure and City Walk  Feature images courtesy of Shopilly.  **Post syndicated with permission, and the original can be found  here: Smokin' Hot $700 Shopilly Holiday Cash Giveaway.*** http://www.amberrisme.com/2012/11/20/smokin-hot-700-shopilly-holiday-cash-giveaway/

Review: Campus Book Rentals

 Being a college student is not always an easy reach for most. Not only are you always worried about your social life and your studies. You also worry about the cost of school and the cost of the books. But what if there was a place out there that made it just a little easier and a little more affordable, you ask? Lucky for you there is such a place. Campus Book Rentals allows you,the student, to rent the books you need for class without breaking the bank.

Here are just some of the things that this website has to offer:

Save 40-90% off of bookstore prices

Free shipping both ways

Can highlight in the textbooks as if they were your own

Flexible renting periods

When you are done the book you can sell it back to them

  There is absolutely nothing better than buying from a business that tries to do their part to make a difference in the world. Every year Campus Book Rentals picks a project or two to partner with or become involved in. This year they have continued their partnership with Operation Smile which is an organization that helps children and their families to obtain cleft lip surgeries that they otherwise could not afford. With each book rented a portion is donated to this cause.

 And this year they have also set aside $90,000 to offer textbook scholarships to students who need extra help to obtain books. That is something we should all be happy to contribute to. If you are interested in the things they have done to help those less fortunate you can check that out here. They have a huge database of book titles so you are sure to find the books that you need for your upcoming classes. It is free to open an account with them, no membership fees whatsoever. The link to their website is here.

 To prove that you can save money by using Campus Book Rentals, I decided I would look up a book that I recently bought my daughter. The title of the book is Government In America this books retails for $105.00 but their website sells it for $37.38 with free shipping. Saving you $67.62 which is a HUGE savings over the retail price!  Connecting with Campus Book Rentals is as easy as a click of the mouse you can connect with them on Facebook or you can reach them on Twitter.

**Disclosure** I received monetary compensation for this review. The opinions addressed above are my own and are based upon my own experience.

Cooking Extravaganza Review & Giveaway

This months Gabby Mom's review is all about giving you a helping hand. The Cooking Extravaganza is a HUGE bundle that Lorrie has put together for you to be a help to you and your family.
The bundle includes 7 download able e books and one print book all for the price of $19.97.
Here is what is included in this great deal just in time for the holidays.

Bulk Cooking Tips & Tricks- this e book includes everything you need to know to get you started with bulk cooking. So if this is a venture you were always curious about and would like to know how to get started this is a great starter course in the fabulous world of bulk cooking.

Lorrie's Favorite Recipes- this e book contains some of Lorrie's favorites. A virtual top ten of some of her favorite go to recipes.

The Secrets of The Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookies Made Simple- this e book is all about one of my favorites the chocolate chip cookie. It begins with a basic chocolate chip cookie recipe and some variations that are sure to be a hit with any family.

Brianna's Pizza Primer- this e book is so yummy and it's all about PIZZA! We love pizza and this e book is all about how to make the most perfect homemade pizza from dough to sauce Lorrie hit a home run with this one.

Fill 'Er Up - Ideas to Fill a Bottomless Pit- If you are the mother of boys you can totally relate to Lorrie on this one. Boys can eat! So here Lorrie is giving you ideas on how to keep those boys fed for a few minutes anyway. LOL

Sensational Salads- Who isn't always looking for different variations on salad? Well that is what this e book is all about. So tried and true variations that you can try on your next salad.

Healthy Sanity Savings Breakfast- this e book is all about go to breakfasts that are good for them and will keep you sane at the same time. A double win!

As if this wasn't enough Lorrie has also included a signed, printed copy of her famous book "What's For Dinner Mom". If you are wanting to get this in time for Christmas you need to order by December 12th.
So if this sounds like a deal you want to take advantage of just go to this link. As always you can learn more about Lorrie's products here.

And if you are interested in a giveaway you can go to Lorrie's blog here. The winner will be chosen on December 1st so you need to hurry to take advantage of this one!

Review:All Things New by:Lynn Austin

About the Book:

The war is over. The South has lost.

Josephine Weatherly struggles to pick up the pieces of her life when her family returns to their Virginia plantation. But the realities of life after the war cannot be denied: her home and land are but a shell of their previous grandeur; death has claimed her father and brother; and her remaining brother, Daniel, has returned home bitter and broken.

Her life of privilege, a long-ago dream.

Josephine soon realizes that life is now a matter of daily survival--and recognizes that Lizzie, as one of the few remaining servants, is the one she must rely on to teach her all she needs to know. Josephine's mother, too, vows to rebuild White Oak--but a bitter hatred fuels her.

Can hope--and a battered faith in God--survive amid the devastation?
In her bestselling tradition, Lynn Austin brings to life the difficult years of Reconstruction by interweaving the stories of three women--daughter, mother, and freed slave--in a riveting tale.

About the Author:

Lynn Austin, a former teacher who now writes and speaks full time, has won eight Christy Awards for her historical fiction. One of those novels, Hidden Places, has also been made into a Hallmark Channel movie. Lynn and her husband have raised three children and make their home near Chicago, Illinois. Visit Lynn's Web site at www.lynnaustin.org

My Review:
 The Weatherly's decide to return to their Virginia plantation post Civil War to find that the Union soldiers have vandalized their home. But all is not lost as they began to clean their home and rebuild their lives. Josephine soon realizes that because her father and her older brother Samuel have passed on it is now up to her to bring her remaining family members back to reality. They must dust themselves off after this cruel war has all but ruined them and start over. Josephine's mother is fueled by the hatred she feels for the North and the loss of her family so much so that she is of no help to Josephine. And so Josephine must rely on Lizzie and Alexander Chandler to help her restore her family to their former glory.
 Josephine soon realizes Harrison is not the man she thought he was. And that their promised engagement just can not be. Her is passion fueled by Alexander Chandler which is intoxicating on all levels. She finds it hard to ignore the feelings that she has recently developed for this man. The one draw back if any is that he is from Pennsylvania. Not something that is very becoming of him since her family are sworn enemies to anyone residing from the North.
 They will soon see what a live wire Daniel, Josephine's brother really is. And the lengths he will go to, to hurt everyone around him.

**Disclaimer** This book was provided to me for free through Bethany House Publishers blogging program for my unbiased review.

 

Review:World History: Observations & Assessments from Creation to Today by:James P. Stobaugh

About the Book:
Respected Christian educator, Dr. James Stobaugh, offers an entire year of high school world history curriculum in an easy to teach and comprehensive volume. World History: Observations & Assessments from Creation to Today employs clear objectives and challenging assignments for the twelfth grade student. This study will help students develop a Christian world view while forming his or her own understanding of world history trends, philosophies, and events. The following components are covered for the student:

• Critical thinking
• Examinations of historical theories, terms, and concepts
• History makers who changed the course of history
• Overviews and insights into world views.

 This 288-page student resource should be used in conjunction with the World History: Observations & Assessments from Creation to Today for the Teacher. American History and British History are included in this comprehensive high school history curriculum for 10th, 11th, and 12th grades offered by Dr. James Stobaugh and Master Books.

About the Author:
 Dr. James Stobaugh was a Merrill Fellow at Harvard and holds degrees from Vanderbilt and Rutgers universities, and Princeton and Gordon-Conwell seminaries. An experienced teacher, he is a recognized leader in homeschooling and has published numerous books for students and teachers. He and his wife Karen have homeschooled their four children since 1985.

My Review:
As usual Dr. James Stobaugh has hit a home run. With all of us homeschoolers in mind he has helped us all by introducing our children to World History. I reviewed the student text so I was privledged to get to observe the marvelous pictures that were included in the text and the wondrous world opened up to my children in the book  World History: Observations & Assessments from Creation to Today. If you are looking for a curriculum that has been all laid out for you then the waiting stops now. The author has included everything all mapped out for you. Just a snippet from the book includes:
~Narrative Background: background on the period.
~ Critical Thinking Questions: questions based roughly on Bloom’s Taxonomy.
~Concepts/Generalizations: terms, concepts, and theories to be learned.
~History Maker: a person(s) who clearly changed the course of history.
~Historiographies or Historical Debate: an examination of historical theories surrounding a period or topic.
~World View Formation: An overview of historical understandings of who God is. There is also a subsection where we examine important thinkers of the period/topic.
~History & World View Overview: an overview of world views.

There are 34 chapters included in the book representing 34 weeks of study. And according to the author your child will only need a pencil and a notepad. The author has taken us on adventure in his newest book. You children will definitely enjoy the ride. To find out more look below at the book trailer. To find out more about New Leaf Publishing Group or Master Books just go here. Also you can purchase this book through their website here.

**Disclaimer** This book was provided to me for free through the New Leaf Publishing Group blogging program for my honest review.