Enjoying the Chaos

I recently finished Seagrass Pier by Colleen Coble. I hadn't read any of her books today and I was pleasantly surprised by the story. The story focuses on a lady Elin Summerall who receives a 'perfect match' heart transplant from a young donor. However, shortly after receiving her new heart, Elin starts to have terrible nightmares and flashbacks she realizes that the person she received her heart from was murdered. I found this a little creepy. Imagine if you received an organ with a side of memories. In fact not just memories but also their likes and dislikes. This story had me hooked from the beginning. In fact, I completely forgot that this was the third in the Hope Beach Series. I hadn't read any of the other books in the series and honestly I didn't notice. I knew a lot about the characters from the beginning. However I will have to go back and read them now. I am not into scary books but this one is not really scary, but full of suspense, mixed wi...

A couple of weeks ago the kids and I had the opportunity to visit  Legoland Discovery Center Kansas City and Kansas City Sea Life Aquarium. They had been wanting to go for a long time. The kids are huge fans of Lego's and Aquariums so to visit both in one day was a dream for them. We drove three hours return and the kids were excited the whole way there. Legoland Discovery Center and Kansas City Sea Life Aquarium Center share an entrance near Crown Center Kansas City, right next to the skating rink. Little J got excited as soon as we parked because he saw a cool looking minivan. He thought it was completely awesome that it was different on each side. Parking is validated for up to six hours so we had plenty of time to visit both attractions. The kids decided that they wanted to go to Kansas City Sea Life Aquarium first. They were definitely not disappointed. The Aquarium is normally open Sunday - Thursday 10am - 8pm, Friday and Saturday 10am - 9pm. You are also allowe...

Don’t miss Colleen Coble ‘s latest release in the Hope Beach series, Seagrass Pier . The book releases July 1st, and Colleen's publisher is offering the ebook at a special pre-order price of just $4.99 between now and 6/30 everywhere ebooks are sold. PLUS . . . between 6/9 – 6/30 Colleen will be hosting a Kindle giveaway. One winner will receive: A brand new Kindle Fire HDX Seagrass Pier  and the rest of the Hope Beach series   by Colleen Coble Enter today by clicking one of the icons below . But hurry, the giveaway ends on June 30th. Winner will be announced on  Colleen's blog on July 1st. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or  TWITTER  and increase your chances of winning and be sure to stop by Colleen's blog on July 1st to see if you won! ©2011-2014 Chickensbunniesandhomeschool. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the a...

My niece is getting married tomorrow. She was my oldest daughter's best friend. It is a time of bitter sweetness for me. My niece is beautiful, and marrying a great man. However it makes me miss Heather terribly. I think of what she would be like, it seems like yesterday and also forever since I last saw these girls together. 15 years has flown by but also dragged on forever. So in celebration of my niece's wedding and in memory of Heather, I dedicate this post to them. ©2011-2014 Chickensbunniesandhomeschool. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author Chickensbunniesandhomeschool.blogspot.com

This week has been crazy. Here's a few things that have happened; 1. My niece arrived from England on Tuesday. She is staying with us for 5 weeks. 2. We became citizens of The United States of America. It has been about 15 years since we first moved here. My Parents and some good friends were with us. If you have never been to a Naturalization Ceremony then I would definitely recommend it! You don't have to have an invitation. People from 27 countries were represented. 3. My youngest nephew turned one and we had a party with all the family. My sister turned up and surprised everyone. We knew she was coming for my niece's wedding next week, but it was nice to see her earlier than expected. 4. The kids have had two swim meets so far. They are doing really well and enjoying it. This week my husband and I were timers. It's fun being involved. It is SO hot my tan is coming on really well, and I'm not even sunbathing. 5. My niece is getting married next week. I ...

Diana Waring is well known in home school circles for her awesome curriculum. I was approached to review her new Experience History Through Music program I was really excited. I will be doing a review on the full program soon. However I want you to know about the giveaway that starts today. To celebrate the release of Experience History Through Music, I am joining members of the Diana Waring Launch Team for an amazing giveaway. Friends of Diana have joined in and as you can see, someone’s homeschool is going to be greatly blessed! Here’s what you could win! From Diana Waring Presents   Experience History Through Music – set of 3 books with CDs  ($50/set) Diana Waring Presents is about to bring back into print the BEST folk music you have ever heard, combined with the fascinating stories they represent in American history!   The  Experience Music Through History series includes:  America   - Heart of a New Nation,  Westward Ho! ...

  This book is not a traditional Amish story. It deals with the situation of a unwed mother in a very traditional Amish neighborhood. Carolyn Lapp had a child when she was a child. After having her child she joined the church and therefore received the forgiveness and acceptance of her community. However Carolyn who raises her son with the love and help of her parents always feels judged by others, including her brother. When her son Benjamin gets into trouble at an animal auction. He has to go to work for Joshua Glick who owns a horse farm in a neighboring community. Although this seems at first like a punishment it turns into an amazing experience, and helps Benjamin get out from his domineering cousins. Joshua assumes that Benjamin is Carolyn's nephew, although Carolyn never tells him this, she never corrects him either. Will Joshua still be interested when he find out - or will his domineering mother manage to control the situation. This is a really nice story. Also sh...

The kids couldn't wait to give their Dad his present for Father's Day! They mixed up a couple of ideas we found on pinterest. What do you think!

1. Today is Friday the 13th and a full moon. I'm not superstitious but I did find it a fun fact that this won't happen again until 2049. Even though I just read that only those living in Asia, Africa, Europe, South America — and those in the Eastern Time Zone — experienced the full moon on June 13. The full moon showed up at 12:11 a.m. ET, so anyone in time zone west of EDT saw the silver-dollar moon the day before, on June 12. 2. Jam has been at scout camp ALL week. My husband dropped him off at 3am Monday morning so he could arrive by 6am with the rest of his troop. Boo has been walking around all week like her arm has been amputated. I wonder how long it will take them to start arguing when he arrives back. 3. The kids have made ******* for Father's Day. I got some great deals on candy at CVS today. Boo did all the work since Jam is at camp. They made one for Dad and Grandpa...and they are VERY excited. I will show pictures later - just in case some one read...

  Those of us with Grandparents know what a blessing they can be in our lives. I know that not everyone has the opportunity to live close to them. I don't have any living Grandparents anymore. My Grandfather (on my Mom's side) died the year I was born, and my Grandmother died when I was about six. My Dad's parents have also died but I was lucky enough to have my Dad's Mom at my wedding. My oldest daughter passed away when she was three. Her main concern was how much we loved each other and how our family was joined together. She used to ask my Mom (her Grandmother) whether she loved her other Grandparents and wanted to make sure that her family was close. This was not a hard question for her as she has know my in-laws longer than I have. They first became friends when my husband and I were very young. My children's grandparents are a huge part of their lives, even when we don't live close to them. Recently due to health issues my husbands parents haven...

I love Amish novels and this one didn't disappoint me but it did surprise me. It is nothing like any Amish fiction I have read before, in a good way. A Season of Change by Lynette Sowell is definitely a refreshing change. This book is Book One in the NEW Seasons of Pinecraft series and I for one can't wait to read more! The story blends Amish and Non-Amish complications and family struggles. The story kept my attention. I was intrigued how the author was going to blend the two words together. I had never thought about Amish people heading of to Florida for vacations either. About the Book Amish widower Jacob Miller believes it was a mistake to visit the Amish village of Pinecraft for winter vacation, especially after his daughter is struck by a car. Stranded in Sarasota until his daughter recovers, Jacob grows increasingly wary of events that unfold in his unfamiliar surroundings—including the strange curiosity of Englischer Natalie Bennett. Natalie never thou...

Library Summer Reading Sign Up

As you know Little J struggles with Amblyopia and so I am always on the look out for learning products that help his hand-eye coordination. We were recently given the opportunity to review some amazing products by Learning Wrap-ups . Honestly this was a huge review and we have benefited from all the amazing products we have been able to try. I will list all of them and then talk about them individually. All of the items listed below apart from the 1st grade math and reading cards are suitable for grade K-5. Physical Products 1st Grade Math Learning Palette 1 Base Center Set 1st Grade Math LP Titles 1st Grade Reading Learning Palette 1 Base Center Kit 1st Grade Reading LP 5 Pack Math Intro Wrap-up Kit w/o CD Vocabulary Intro Kit - Wrap-ups 10 Days Book & Multiply Wrap-up combo 10 Steps to Addition Mastery Book & Wrap-up Online Product Learning Palette (Online Version) When we received this huge box of supplies Little J did a happy dance. He loves getting mail...