Fundraiser for B's National Volleyball Trip

Beverly was blessed to make the Austin Royals Varsity Volleyball this year as a Junior!  With this, she will be headed to the Homeschool National Volleyball Tournament in Iowa at the end of October.  She is super excited and she is raising funds to help her get there.

 

 

She has a post-it note fundraiser if you are interested in helping her reach her goal.  All you do is choose a number for an amount that you’d like to support her with.  So if you would like to give $3, you would send her that and she would remove the post-it for that amount (3).  No amount is too small!

 

How to pay?  If you see us personally you can give cash or check (made out to Beverly Cummins), you can mail a check, or you can give through Venmo (please make a note that says Beverly Nationals).  For those wondering, all funds go directly to Bev for her Nationals trip.  Venmo information below.

 

We appreciate your time and consideration.   I’m attaching a short video so you can see Bev (#15) play and what you are supporting, she loves the sport so much! GO ROYALS!

Happy National Neonatal Nurses Day

Many moons ago when we had A, she was sent to the NICU because she was hypoglycemic.  She was there for ten days.  As hard as that was, the nurses in the NICU taught us so much.  We learned skills that we would use for the rest of our children.  I was amazed at the skill, knowledge, and compassion that those nurses had.  I'm so grateful for the care that A received and how it impacted our future family.  Thank you Neonatal Nurses!!

Baby A in the NICU

Greg Landry's Homeschool Science Membership Review

Disclosure:  I received this complimentary product through the HOMESCHOOL REVIEW CREW.

I was so excited to receive 6 months access to Greg Landry's Homeschool Science Membership from Greg Landry's Homeschool Science.  We have enjoyed several of Greg's courses over the years and we know what a great resource this is to have in our homeschool!  With this membership we have access to a plethora of online Science courses including Life Prep High School Biology, Life Prep High School Chemistry, Life Prep High School Anatomy & Physiology, Life Prep High School Conceptual Physics, Exercise & Sports Physiology, Marine Science, Biochemistry/Microbiology, Embryology/Endocrinology, Earth & Space Science, Student Success Skills, and many more.  I love that you can use these online science classes for your whole family!

Greg Laundry is a homeschool dad and science teacher who created this program to help homeschooling families with various self-paced science classes.  His classes are Christ-centered and taught by Greg through video lectures and resources.  I really appreciate that everything needed for these courses is provided - PDF of text, student books, etc.

Life Prep High School Chemistry

How are we using this right now?  This year I am teaching High School Chemistry in our weekly CoOp.  I am having a great time refreshing myself with Chemistry concepts using Greg's Life Prep High School Chemistry.  Not only is this great added benefit for me as a teacher but C is in my class and I can have him review concepts and key elements as well.  This is a fantastic resource!

 

Above you can see some of the Text

There are 26 chapters in this course with 25 video class lectures ranging from 20-30 minutes in length, extremely doable.  There are optional tests and answer keys for them as well.  You can also pair the virtual labs as this course includes a match up for the labs and corresponding lecture videos.  I love the way it is laid out and how it makes Chemistry approachable.

Life Prep High School Physics

Beverly hasn't started yet but I am hoping to have her use the Life Prep High School Physics class as well!  I am loving that we have access to so many great classes.

 

Want to know more?  Be sure to click on the banner below to visit the Homeschool Review Crew blog to read more reviews of Greg Landry's Homeschool Science Membership.

You can engage and learn more by heading over to Greg Landry's Homeschool Science.

Round Rock Express Game

I took C and F to a day baseball game last week.  The Round Rock Express was playing the Sugar Land Space Cowboys.  While we didn't win, we had a great time.  There was an hour rain delay as we got a much needed but unexpected rain shower.  It turned out to be a lovely afternoon.  And both boys ended up with balls, which is always fun.

The Adventum Volume 1 from the Adventum Review

Disclosure:  I received this complimentary product through the HOMESCHOOL REVIEW CREW.

I was so excited to receive The Adventum, Volume 1 from The Adventum to use with the kids for review!  The Adventum is a new, epic audio adventure of Bible stories!  This chronological dramatization is told as if you were there.

 

Our pack has 4 individual CDs of ~ 4 hours of playing time

The Adventum, a believable blend of creative adaptation based on the written Scriptures, helps kids want to learn more about the Scriptures and everything that is hidden within!  I really like that our whole family can dive deeper into the Bible together and ultimately find truths.  This story form is fun, engaging and kids look forward to it and that is such an awesome thing.  The music, narration, story is so well done.  We will definitely be looking to purchase other volumes!

Want to know more?  Be sure to click on the banner below to visit the Homeschool Review Crew blog to read even more reviews of The Adventum.

You can engage with The Adventum on social media @:

Facebook

Today Is National Read A Book Day

Here is your friendly reminder.  You still have time!

Timberdoodle's Animals and Their Homes Review

I have a fun product to share with you today from Timberdoodle, Animals and Their Homes.  This kit has six different types of creative activities for your child on the theme of animals and their homes.  Animals and Their Homes is manufactured by Djeco and is geared for children ages 3-6 years old or PreK - 1st Grade.  G has been using it as part of his Art for 1st grade and he has really been enjoying it!

What's included in our kit?

As previously mentioned, there are six different projects that all center around the topic of animals.  All the supplies needed for each project is included and I really appreciate that!  There is also a picture instructional booklet that works as a step-by-step guide for each of the activities.

Activity 1

Materials needed for the first activity

 

In this activity, G got to color two cats - a boy cat and a girl cat.  He then got to embellish his coloring pages with included stickers.  He really likes the reversible grip crayons.

G working on the first cat

And the second cat after completion

Activity 2

Materials needed for the second activity

In this activity, G got to punch out pieces and glue them onto his craft board to create a collage of a circus puppy.  He followed the picture instructions for which pieces to glue first and followed it up with adding googly eyes and puff balls.

 

G working on his puppy

A close-up of his circus puppy, he's so cute!

 

Activity 3

Materials needed for the third activity

In this activity, G got to create two mosaics of a fish and a turtle using stickers.

 

G is halfway through this kit and as you can see he is really enjoying it.  I really like that he has no issues doing the activities independently.  Animals and Their Homes is currently included in Timberdoodle's Kindergarten curriculum kit and we definitely recommend it.

 

Disclosure:  Huge shout out to Timberdoodle for selecting me as a Timberdoodle Blogger.  I received Animals and Their Homes in exchange for my honest review.  All opinions are my own.

Lone Star Riverboat Bat Cruise

Last night we went on a bat watching sunset cruise to celebrate G's birthday last month as a gift from his Mumma & Puppa!  It was so fun.  We have been bat watching before but it has been many, many years and G has never been.

The rest of the crew.  I love that the guy behind David smiled.

The views were spectacular.

Check out all the people on the bridge waiting to see the bats too.

In this photo you can see another Lone Star Riverboat, like the one we are riding on.

Another great view...

I love this one with F in it.  He was sitting on the edge so he's in most of my photos.

The Austin Skyline

The bats came out a little bit later than normal because of some recent rain so it was a bit harder to get some photos of them but I did manage to get a few videos, enjoy below!

Timberdoodle's 7th Grade Customized Curriculum Kit Unboxing {D's 8th Grade Year}

 

In the last few months I have been school planning like mad preparing for this upcoming school year that is now upon us.  I'm super excited that I was able to customize Timberdoodle's 7th grade curriculum kit to use with D for her 8th grade year!  I love how easy it was to customize the various subjects online when I ordered our kit.

 

Above is Timberdoodle's typical 7th grade Elite kit

 

When I ordered my kit, I just selected the customization feature.  It was great because I could select the kit I wanted to start with (7th grade) for my customization.  I really like that it has options suggested for replacements.

Our Kit

What I kept the same:

 

 

I kept most of the language arts components: Grammar for the Well-Trained Mind Red Bundle, Wordsmith Bundle, and Word Roots Level 1.

 

 

I kept the Extreme Dot to Dot: Around the World book for D to use with her math program.

 

I kept most of the Thinking Skills the same: The Basics of Critical Thinking, Diamond Quest, and Laser Chess.  I plan on using The Thinking Toolbox but I took it off my kit order because I already own it so I didn't need to purchase it again!  Everyone likes the looks of Laser Chess!

I kept The Mystery of History Volume 1 for History and Social Studies and Bear Grylls Survival Camp for History and Geography as well.

 

I kept the Art program:  Simply Draw with Bob Parsons, My Year of Art and Succulents Needle Felting Kit.

 

I kept the Mixed By Me - Holographic Thinking Putty Kit and Test Prep: Grade 7 book.

What I changed and why:

• I took out the Mosdos Press Literature as we will be using a different literature program that I already own and D will be taking a World Literature class in our CoOp.

• I took out Math-U-See as we use Teaching Textbooks.

• I kept the Thinking Skills the same except I didn't need to purchase The Thinking Toolbox because I already own it.
  

• I changed the Science program from Science in the Atomic Age to Apologia's Exploring Creation with Physical Science.  D will be using this program in CoOp this year.

• I kept the Art program but I did add the Chinese Brush Painting featured in their 8th grade kit because I think D will really enjoy it.
  

• While I kept Test Prep: Grade 7, I also added Test Prep: Grade 8.  I thought it would be good for D to do both of these.  D would be in 7th grade if she were in public school (her age); however, we have had her a grade up her whole life as she was advanced from the start.  I like the idea of her working through both these books to make sure we cover all the bases.
  

• While I kept The Mystery of History Volume 1, I added the companion guide to have a more complete program.

• I changed the STEM components to Photography 4 Teens and Mini Bricks - The White House because I thought these would suit D's interests more.

And there you have it!  I'm excited about this curriculum.  Stay tuned to hear more about D's journey through 8th grade with more reviews!  And be sure to check out Timberdoodle's 7th Grade curriculum kit for yourself.

Disclosure:  Huge shout out to Timberdoodle for selecting me as a Timberdoodle Blogger.  I will be refunded the purchase price of our curriculum kit in exchange for my honest reviews.  All opinions are my own.

Gigi & Nate Movie Review

I have an adorable film to share with you, 'Gigi & Nate!'  This film is set to release in theaters tomorrow, Friday, September 2, 2022.   I was blessed to receive a prescreener of this film.

Synopsis:  Nate Gibson's life is turned upside down after he suffers a near-fatal illness and is left a quadriplegic.  Moving forwards seems impossible until he meets his unlikely service animal, Gigi - a curious and intelligent capuchin monkey - who helps Nate finds what he needs most: hope.

Details:  This film is written by David Hudgins and directed by Nick Hamm.  It stars Marcia Gay Harden, Charlie Rowe, Josephine Langford, Hannah Riley, Zoe Colletti, Jim Belushi and Diane Ladd.  This film is rated PG-13 and is 114 minutes in length.

My Thoughts: David and I watched this film together and I really enjoyed it.  I love how this film emphasizes the bond between animals and humans, specifically Gigi & Nate.  After Nate becomes a quadriplegic, Nate's mother looks for him a therapy animal when he seems to have no hope.  While everything was far from perfect, Gigi & Nate learn to trust each other over time and Gigi begins to really help Nate with some of his essential therapy as well as emotional support.  It’s truly amazing how much an animal can impact a life as shown by GiGi and Nate!  Even when this duo is threatened, they find a way to stay together.

Want to know more?  Enjoy the official movie trailer below.

Be sure to engage with Gigi & Nate on social media below.

 Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | TikTok

Disclosure:  Thanks so much to Grace Media for providing me with an advanced screener of this film to facilitate my review.  All opinions expressed are 100% my own.