1 Year Blogiversary Celebration

Tuesday was our one year blogiversary and to kick off the celebration we are giving away a signed copy of Millicent Marie Is Not My Name from kids lit author Karen Pokras Toz.  

From the Award Winning Author of the Nate Rocks Books:

**GOLD MEDALIST 2013 READERS' FAVORITE BOOK AWARDS - CHILDRENS/PRE-TEEN CATEGORY

**2013 GLOBAL EBOOK GOLD MEDAL AWARD WINNER: PRE-TEEN CATEGORY

Twelve-year-old Millicent Marie does not like her name. After all, she was named for a woman who died more than fifty years ago and was not the most loveable member of the Harris family. Her friends call her Millie, but when she writes in her diary she refers to herself as Amanda - the name she always wished she had.

When Millie's younger brother finds her diary on her computer, he decides to publish it as a blog for the entire world to see, including the boy Millie has a crush on. In the midst of all the mayhem, Millie/Amanda discovers she is suddenly Springside Elementary's most sought after sixth-grade mystery gossip and advice columnist.

But not all is fun and games, as Millie quickly learns, once she realizes feelings are at stake. Nobody, least of all Millie, expects things to turn out as they do in this tale of friendship and respect.

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Unfortunatley, my sciatic nerve has been pinched again so I haven't been able to sit up much to blog or promote the giveaway or post the other rafflecopters. I am going to extend the Millicent Marie giveaway. 

We have several other prizes we will have up for grabs from our wonderful generous sponsors:

• 2 printed copies of Wonders of  Creation Lapbook from Knowledge Box
• Signed copy of James Saves the Moon from Wendy's Book Case (Wendy Nystrom)
• $10 gift certificate to use at Green Kids Crafts
• Crocheted pencil shaped pouch from Jennifer's Crochet Hooks and Unlimited Sewing  
• $25 gift ceterficate to use at Educents  
• $5 amazon gift card from MHZ Book Reviews and Giveaways

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Making the best of a road trip with Little Passports Travel Tips

 

Making the best of a road trip with Little Passports Travel Tips

“Are we there yet?” was a term coined by the family road trip! While new technology and toys may have silenced backseat conversations, spending time together in the car can still be a great opportunity for family bonding and learning. Even if you plan on bringing the latest gadget to pass the time, try saving them for the end of your trip when everyone is tired and cranky!

Here are some ideas from Little Passports that are sure to make the time fly by (or at least go by a little faster):

Save your most recent Little Passports delivery from Sam and Sofia for your road trip so your kids to learn and explore during the car ride. Say goodbye to your trusted GPS! Bring back the memory of car trips as a kid and use a map! The night before your trip bring out an actual map (if you can find one!) to show your intended route to your child. Even better, copy the map and pull out a highlighter so your child can follow along – and let you know when you missed a turn. Build in time for pit stops – and if time allows, make short stops that incorporate fun activities along the way. Everyone will need a bathroom break and a meal, but if that happens at a place right off the highway and near playground it can be better for everyone! The kids will get fed – and burn off some energy. Hit up a dollar store before you leave and stock up on small toys and activities to give to your kids along the way. Every hour let your child choose a surprise – a great incentive for good behavior! You can even wrap the toys for an added element of excitement. Use this link to make your next road trip educational: Little Passports Travel Tips

                                               

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3 Month Little Passports Giveaway

We've posted a couple of times about Little Passports in the past. From a Hot Apple Cider recipe, Lunches Around the World to using Little Passports in our classroom. Enter below for your chance to win a 3 month subscription, so you can join us in traveling to distant lands and all without leaving your home!

Sponsored by:

Little Passports

Hosted by:

NYSavingSpecials

Co-Hosted by:

Simply Sherryl and Barbara's Beat

 

One lucky winner will win

3 months subscription to Little Passports

Details:

October 24 to November 7

US Residents only

All entries are optional

We appreciate the support of our sponsor and co-hosts, please show your support by following them on their social medias pages.

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Disclaimer: MARIETTA HOMESCHOOLING ZOO is not responsible for the awarding of the prize.  Sponsor is responsible for prize fulfillment.  If you have any questions about this giveaway, please email the host at nysavingspecials@gmail.com</span>

Spirituality for Kids ~ Tools to Win the Game of Life REVIEW

For the past few weeks Yang and I have been working through the online lessons at Spirituality for Kids. Spirituality for Kids is a non-profit organization that provides online lessons via videos and a companion PDF workbook to teach kids to see challenges as opportunities, to reflect on their actions, to develop self-worth and instill a desire to make a difference in the world around them. Spirituality for Kids has simplified basic universal spiritual principles in the form of a game. Each video lesson/game has rules, goals, players and challenges, just like in the everyday "Game of Life."

"Give your children universal spiritual tools that help them realize their true potential and develop a sense of purpose in life."

As we start out we meet a young boy named Ari whom comes into a toy store, and like most boys and girls, Ari is idealistic, wide-eyed and even a little sarcastic. Upon meeting the toy shop owner, Mr. Why, Ari's sarcasm gets him in trouble. 

Fortunately for Ari, Mr. Why sees an eagerness to learn within Ari and gives him a special game called the Game of Life. After Ari rushes home to play the game, he soon finds himself trapped in an alternate universe where he needs to learn the rules of the game in order to get back home. 

Luckily for Ari, Mr. Why is there to guide him through the interactive game. Together with your boys and girls Ari discovers that everything he is learning in the game will help him in real life as well. 

Yang and I both enjoyed working through the lessons. I've already begun to notice changes in her behavior as she stops to think of her actions before reacting at times. Doing the lesson on spirituality fulfillment was an interesting one. It took her a while to understand how the things she wants and needed make her feel, and the difference between the two. At 8 1/2 years old, she thinks she needs everything! I think that can be hard one for a lot of us though.

Being the youngest with a significance age gap from her sisters, Yang didn't have to share a lot when she was younger. It has always been something we have struggled with since she usually prefers to play alone. She is slowly becoming more aware of how others feel when we don't share, and how it makes us feel when we don't share with us.

When I received the email to see if I wanted to do a review of Spirituality for Kids, the email stated that it was best suited for kids 6 - 12 years old. Since Poppy is 13 I thought that she would be a little to old for it but I now plan to go back and start at the beginning with her. I think it can easily be adapted for both younger and older children. The exposure alone would be good for the younger ones.

While we've only been able to work on a handful of lessons so far, I believe I can see a new leaf being overturned! I can't wait to work through more of these lessons and see how Yang and Poppy grow.

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This post may contain affiliate links. You can read more about affiliate links under my disclosure policy tab, or by clicking here.
I received monetary compensation for my honest review.