Enjoying the Chaos

I love Institute for Excellence in Writing and have used their writing products before. So when I was given the chance to try their Fix It! Grammar was really excited. Yes 'I' was excited about getting the program - however I knew it would have to be good so I could sell it to my kids. When I told them we were going to be reviewing a 'GRAMMAR' program they looked at me and said 'great' in this really shaky voice. However they both really liked the writing program we used and think Andrew Pudewa is awesome, so they were willing to give the complete grammar program a shot. I was pleased to see that IEW offer a placement test and webinar available to help you decided where to start. There are five levels available and although my older two can read at a very high level we have never done a complete 'grammar' program before. So after watching the webinar and looking over the placement test, I decided to just follow the advice of the program and s...

1. Today a group of homeschool friends and I took out kids on our first ever group field trip. We went to State Capital, and we had a blast. My friend even arranged it so we could go RIGHT UP THE TOP! I mean literally up to the highest walk around the dome. It was a long climb up but worth it and the kids loved it! Just for the record Boo was stood on a really tall box! They had a really fun dress up area, and museum on one of the floors.  2. The view from the top was amazing!  3. It's going to be a busy weekend. Jam and Boo have their first official USA swim meet tomorrow. We have to leave at 6:30am...I have a feeling it will be a LONG day! 4. Is it wrong to be looking forward to the clocks changing...I can't wait for an extra hour in bed! 5. We have been watching a new TV series called Our Zoo it's the story of the start of the Chester Zoo in England. If you haven't seen it, and you love British TV. Check out some more Random Five over at  The Pebble...

Don't miss Shelley Shepard Gray 's newest book in the Return to Sugarcreek series, Joyful . USA Today raved: "A sweet, straightforward story about how love can be tested by family, faith, and personal insecurity. Enjoyable and heartwarming." Click the banner for a chance to win books 1-3 in Shelley's Return to Sugarcreek series!  Winner announced on Shelley's blog on 9/30. I have said it before and I will say it again. I LOVE Amish fiction. I think I have read every Amish book in my library, plus all that I can get my hands on to review. This book is written by best-selling author Shelley Shepard Gray, takes us back in her latest novel Joyful, the third book in the Return to Sugarcreek Series.  I had actually forgotten that I had read the first two (that is not as strange as it sounds since like I said I read any Amish books I can find!) As soon as I started reading I remembered all the couples in the story like old friends, and the struggles th...

 1. We took a day off this week and went to the zoo with Grandma. It was a lovely day. Definitely worth the trip. The zoo is our favorite field trip. We have a season pass and try to go every month. The boat was still open so it was a real treat. 2. Captain America has taken to the water like a fish. Tonight the were doing time trials (they do these once a month) and after he had swam 5 lots of 25 yards I had to decide he was done. He looked SO tired, and yet would have kept on going. He has been sleeping like a log, and eating a lot more since swimming started. I LOVE IT! 3. We have been watching a Harry Potter most nights this week. My older kids LOVE them. Captain America of is always packed off to bed before we start. 4. Captain America has been playing Skoolbo he really likes it. Although it says it's common core I haven't found anything unusual in it yet. Just reading and simple math for him. If you want to sign up do so before Sept 30th as it is free until then. Y...

One day Heather walked into a room and saw this Christus in front of her. Before we could stop her she ran up to it and threw her arms around the legs. She stayed that way for sometime, it was a very special thing to witness. It was her first instinct and we can learn a lesson from it. We are told to receive the kingdom of God as a little child. We need the Savior in our lives, we need to rush to him and fling our arms around his legs just as Heather did. When I took this picture I was of course unaware that Heather would return to live with her Heavenly Father just a few months later. I find comfort that she knows her Savior. ©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

I loved loved loved this book, and it's definitely one that I will let my daughter read. Such a sweet simple love story, with a few little twists and turns. I am a definite lover of Amish fiction and this one does not disapoint. Bess Riehl loves roses, but she also has a green thumb and can grow them too. Not just your usual run of the mill variety but really special ones. She learned to love and care for roses from her Grandmother along with her childhood sweetheart Billy Lapp. Now Bess is preparing for her wedding. However, part of her is still wondering what made Billy Lapp leave the community and her a few years earlier. Although her head has moved on and is preparing to marry Amos Lapp, who just happens to be Billy's cousin. All seemed to be going well until an 'lost' rose turns up on Rose Hill Farm and Bess's dad asks someone from the local University to come and identify it. Billy turns up and Bess's heart is awakened to her old feelings for Bill...

Join best-selling, award-winning author Suzanne Woods Fisher for an Amish Christmas to remember. Filled with heart-twisting moments amid the sweet anticipation of love, Christmas at Rose Hill Farm  will charm readers into the holiday spirit. Suzanne is hosting a "Christmas Rose" iPad bundle giveaway and a nation-wide  Christmas at Rose Hill Farm Book Club Brunch in November. Enter the giveaway below and sign up to host a brunch HERE .   TWO grand prize winners will receive: An iPad A Rose-patterned iPad case A Rose-patterned phone case (for any model phone) A Christmas wreath A set of Christmas hand-towels Christmas at Rose Hill Farm by Suzanne Woods Fisher Five second place winners will receive: Christmas at Rose Hill Farm  by Suzanne Woods Fisher Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on September 28th.  All winners will be announced September 29th at Suzanne's blog . Host a Chris...

For the last couple of week Captain America has really been enjoying this really cool picture book full of bible stories. Captain America has really loved these stories. In fact the very day this book came in the mail he made Dad read it from cover to cover. Just about every day since, he has convinced someone to read at least one to him. The stories are all told in rhyme which make them really fun to read as well as listen to. The pictures are also very bright and fun. The book retails for $14.99 it's marketed for ages 4-8 and it makes the perfect book for bedtime. You can check out the book trailer below... The book contains the stories of; Adam and Eve Noah's Ark Joseph Moses Escape from Egypt Tower of Babel Joshua at Jericho Gideon David and  Esther Daniel and the Lions' Den Jonah Birth of Jesus John the Baptist Jesus walking on water The Good Samaritan Parable of the Wayward son Last Supper Jesus on the Cross ...

1. I feel like I have been living at the pool lately. However, it's been worth it Captain America is really coming along. I can't believe just last week I was worried if he would do his length. Now he can do backstroke (not perfectly but awesome for a 5 year old) and he's working on Butterfly - he can already do this stroke better than I can. The video I took shows a little clip. 2. We are closing the pool down this weekend. It's going to be said but today was REALLY cold. 3. I have a whole bunch of book reviews I will be posting soon - sitting by the pool for 90 minutes four days a week does have some advantages. 4. My kids have their Primary Presentation this Sunday. Once a year the primary organization give talks and sing all of the songs they have been learning all year. Captain America has his part memorized as does Boo. I can't believe this will be Boo's last one. As by the time next year comes she will be 12 and in Young Womens. 5. We made piz...

I found a video that really explains what is going on.   Check it out here. So if you are confused as to why Netflix and Hulu are going to be down for 24 hours - Check it out! ©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

We love all books, especially audio books. One of our favorite authors is G.A Henty, my goal is to read or listen to all his books with my kids. So when we had the opportunity to review Under Drakes Flag from Heirloom Audio Productions I was really excited. When I was little we used to listen to a lot of BBC radio productions. They are excellent to listen to while driving (or doing anything really - they make house cleaning almost fun). My kids love audio books but especially dramatized productions. Under Drake's Flag is the perfect story, full of action, adventure, and honorable heroes. Just the kind of story that my boys love, mind you Boo loved it too. Every other Tuesday we have a two hour return trip to our old hometown for piano lessons. This two disc CD set which retails at $29.95 arrived the morning of one of these trips. I put it in the CD player the moment we got in the car and within a couple of seconds I knew it was a hit. There was no arguing or 'stop t...

Fifteen years ago today my oldest daughter passed away. Every year I expect it to be easier but it isn't. We miss her everyday, but with three other children that were all born after Heather had already passed away we have to enjoy our life with them too. They all know her and love her and can tell stories about her as if they knew her, because well they do, by proxy. We have talked about Heather, her photos are in the house and her name is spoken often. Loosing a child is difficult. When Heather passed away my husband and I lost some of our identity. We suddenly lost a title, we suddenly felt that we were no longer 'Mom' and 'Dad'. The hardest question for me to answer still is "How many children do you have?" Sometimes I feel like saying do you want the long answer or the short one. Or sometimes I just give the short one because it's easier. If I say three I would feel guilty remembering my two angels in heaven. The first child we lost was a...

 1. School has been going really well this week. It's fun to see how well the kids are doing and how much effort they put into their day.   2. Swimteam started this week. The kids were really glad to get back after 7 weeks off. Captain America (or as Daddy calls him - Sharkbait!) passed his swim test and is now an official member of the swim team. His is SO excited - the look on his face when he climbed out of the pool after his 25 yard swim was so amazing. So far he has managed to last all of the 90 minute practice. Seeing how he is listening to his coach and interacting with the other team members is so cute - He is the youngest swimmer on the team (six next month). 3. We spetnt the night at my parents last night. After putting Captain America to bed, the big kids and I stayed up till midnight playing cards with Grandma and Grandpa - Such good times. 4. I took the kids rock-climbing today with my friend who has two boys about Captain America's age. We have been going a...

A Book by Edgar Guest “Now” - said a good book unto me - “Open my pages and you shall see Jewels of wisdom and treasures fine, Gold and silver in every line, And you may claim them if you but will Open my pages and take your fill. “Open my pages and run them o’er, Take what you choose of my golden store. Be you greedy, I shall not care - All that you seize I shall gladly spare; There is never a lock on my treasure doors, Come - here are my jewels, make them yours! “I am just a book on your mantel shelf, But I can be part of your living self; If only you’ll travel my pages through, Then I will travel the world with you. As two wines blended make better wine, Blend your mind with these truths of mine. “I’ll make you fitter to talk with men, I’ll touch with silver the lines you pen, I’ll lead you nearer the truth you seek, I’ll strengthen you when your faith grows weak - This place on your shelf is a prison cell, Let me come into your mind to dwell!” ...

This month the first day was Labor Day and Dad had the day with us. So I am posting this a little late! Why not check out some more first days  @journeytojosie ©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