About a month ago I received an incredible freebie in the mail I thought I'd share with you. Earlier this year they were offering America- The Story of Us to educators (including homeschoolers.) I ordered it knowing we were going to be dealing with Early American History. I have to tell you, I wasn't expecting something that we would love. A lot of times history documentaries while interesting tend to be a bit dry. This is not the case, the reenactments, the music, the videography... it all leaves you mesmerized. Especially my man child! As I type this we're watching about a segment about Daniel Boone and Max is on the edge of the couch cheering.
The set contains 12- 1 hour episodes covering all of American history. The History Channel also has an incredible site to go along with it complete with a teacher guide and interactive activities. I would so buy this if we hadn't received it for free. It is truly amazing--- definitely worth checking with your local library or if you have Netflix it's available through them as well.
Check out the segment of The Boston Massacre here.
Back in September I ordered a free photo book from Picaboo of our trip to DC and Boston.... it was absolutely stunning! They are once again offering FREE 8.5 x11 hardcover photo books ($39.95 value) for all new customers. It doesn't include shipping ($8), but it is so worth it. Have fun and let me know if you use this deal! I'm thinking the hubby and the kids will definitely be making some of these for Christmas presents.
Love, love, loved this. Finished it last Wednesday and Max's first question was if there was a sequel... ugh... how bittersweet when it kills you to wonder what happened to a favorite character. We started The Witch of Blackbird Pond, also by Elizabeth George Speare today. Hoping for another treasure!
I didn't get a chance to post my deals last week due to being sickly, but I did manage to make a trip to Rite-Aid and stock up. I won't go through all the deals but here's the rundown of what I got and how much:
2 boxes of Fiber One Cereal
Malt O' Meal Honey Nut Scooters and Cinammon Toasters (This was a huge deal for my kids as I NEVER buy sugar cereal. They can only eat them on the weekends so these will last for a while.)
10 pack of Duracell AA Batteries
Crest Pro-Health toothpaste
Gillette deodorant
Gillette bodywash
Aveeno shampoo
12 pack Charmin toilet paper
OB Tampons
2 bags Dark Chocolate Chex Mix (sooooooooo good!)
2 boxes Fiber One granola bars
Clean & Clear Face Wash
Total should have been: $79.04
After coupons: $18.21
Total saved: $60.83
So this is this week's loot. I've decided to start going early in the week after a disappointing situation last week. Someone had apparently snagged a number of products I needed for some pretty sweet deals, so I've determined to not let that happen again:)
I just thought I'd share some photos of my grandfather's recent visit. I was/am so blessed to have my Great-Grandfather, two Grandfathers, and Grandmother live well in to my adult life. In fact Kahli clearly remembers her Great-Great Grandfather who passed away when she was 10 or 11. My children have always had incredibly close relationships with their grandparents. I am so thankful for that and the gift that it is. As a kid I loved travelling to New Hampshire and visiting my Great-Grandfather, I remember he would always bring me to Market Basket and let me pick out treats. I remember orange juice and Thomas english muffins, and always homemade spaghetti sauce. My family down there seemed so different.. .it was so neat to be "spoiled".
My grandparents on my dad's side always lived next door and I remember the daily trek to visit my grandmother every morning. This routine continued for each of my children until we moved away. What an incredible treasure!
So, back to our recent visit, Young Gramp and his wife DJ moved to Florida a few years back and it has been wonderful getting to visit with them a couple times of year. One of my favorite photos is one I have from when Kahli was a baby of five generations: my great grandfather, grandfather, mom, me, and Kahl. When Gramp visited we did another photo, this time four generations, as "Old Gramp" is no longer with us. I love these photos, and the smiles in them. We had a wonderful time visiting at my mom's house, and then at mine. I hope you enjoy this glimpse.
Sisters
Oscar
Mom and Oscie
Gramp
Mother and Daughter
Oscar and Maizie--- they almost look like they're chatting.
I am a horrible reality show junkie... horrible. I suppose if I had to name a guilty pleasure that would be it... well, that and Mocha-Caramel Ice Coffee from Dunkin Donuts. Together... at the same time. With a Lindt White Chocolate and Almond bar....... whoops... sorry I forgot you were here.
So... back to reality... shows. I used to love to watch Survivor and the would always have the teams come together and compete in challenges. Some were gross, like eating bugs or other super gross things. Some were thinking things, and then there were the physical challenges. One they would always have went a little like this: the contestants would all stand on giant poles in the middle of the water and balance.... and balance.... and balance. Until they slowly began to drop off like flies. Sometimes the fall would come from exhaustion, sometimes weakness, some out of pride and a feeling of safety would just give up. But then, there were always the ones who stuck it out. They would go hours and hours. You truly would feel their pain and exhaustion. You would watch as they made a slight adjustment, they just couldn't hold the position any longer. Their balance was waning and they just needed to readjust. And at that split second... that moment their balance would be just a tad bit off, and down they would go. Game over.
That's kinda how I felt the past couple of weeks. We've had family visiting, field trips (that both did and did not happen), work schedules, ministry, and sickness. School has happened between events and naps, but not the way I had hoped. This morning I sat down to fill out our plan book for this week, and I really was surprised by how well we had done through the chaos. Not everything got tackled, but a lot did.
It made me think back to my first post from week 1. I entitled it "balance." These past two weeks showed me that really, I do have things pretty well balanced, some times they scoot over to one side and get a little tippy, but somehow we manage to wiggle back to center ground. I've found myself condemning myself the past few days, and questioning progress and how to do things better. I think that sometimes that is good, but a lot of times, I think we just get into a groove of wanting to feel perfect, or wanting to keep up with Miss. XYZ. And quite frankly I think stupid hormones can wreak havoc and cause us to think everything is a mess! Reality is usually different though.
I guess my point amidst all this rambling is that over time, I think we can find that balance. It becomes second nature. I kinda like that. It comforts me. It also makes me think of what has been "my verse" for 2010. God really spoke it to me clearly this January, and I keep coming back to it. I can become overwhelmed very easily... by good things, and bad things. The thing I need to remember always, and the secret to balance I think is this:
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Matthew 6:33
That's really what it come down to... seeking God first. So back to reality shows... yeah I know it's a lousy segway... one of the one's we love now is Wipeout. Talk about funny! I think that more exhibits my life, they get knocked down and rather than it being game over, they have to do it again... and again... and sometimes again, til they get it. That's me. That's the story of my life. But that's okay, in the words Paul:
I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. Philippians 3:14 (NLT)
For any of you who may be wondering where I've gone or maybe thought I've completely dropped the blog I thought I would give an update. It's been a crazy two weeks, most of it involving tissues... lots of tissues. So, I'll be updating soon with this weeks Rite Aid deals, and a recap of the past two weeks of homeschooling.
About a month ago I received an incredible freebie in the mail I thought I'd share with you. Earlier this year they were offering America- The Story of Us
to educators (including homeschoolers.) I ordered it knowing we were going to be dealing with Early American History. I have to tell you, I wasn't expecting something that we would love. A lot of times history documentaries while interesting tend to be a bit dry. This is not the case, the reenactments, the music, the videography... it all leaves you mesmerized. Especially my man child! As I type this we're watching about a segment about Daniel Boone and Max is on the edge of the couch cheering. 
by Elizabeth George Speare
also by Elizabeth George Speare today. Hoping for another treasure! 
bar....... whoops... sorry I forgot you were here.
