We can all use a few more hands
I just grabbed 4 of these to use while camping! Hurry as this is almost sold out, but you can grab an Ultra Light Parachute Hammock for only $8.99 shipped, reg. $39.99! Use code HAMMOCK28 to get the discount!
Please Note: Color will be selected at random and Pink is NOT one of the colors.
*yes I’ve ordered from this site before and all was fine.
If you’re looking for some reading help for your kids ages 2-7, check out this incredible deal right to to try out ABCmouse.com. They are offering 2 Months of ABCmouse.com for only $5! That’s the best deal I’ve seen! Great way to try it and see if you like it.
Cancel anytime if you do not love the program.
I’ve had a couple readers ask about backpack deals. It’s the season for getting ready for back to school! Here are the deals I found for backpacks under $25. As always, these are Amazon links and Amazon prices can change at any time without notice.
Everest Backpacks prices starts around $11 depending on color.
Hotstyle backack for $23.99
Venture Pal for $20.99 and 5 colors to choose from
Canvas Backpack available in many prints for around $20.
World Traveler backpack – as low as $12.12 depending on print chosen.
Canvas Boho Bag – several prints to choose from – $18.99
Hynes Eagle brand – several prints to choose from – $17.99
Everest Camo backpack $18.47
Trailmaker Backpack $20.03
Great weekend! My husband was off so we enjoyed some much needed family time which involved garage cleaning and picnics. It’s getting closer and closer to time to start school again. We are treasuring these days without school.
Today we officially close on the house we’ve been wanting to sell after getting renters out of it. I will never rent another house again! What a pain that was! Huge thanks to Laura Flanders Real Estate for helping us get it sold! I will breathe easier once those final documents are signed.
Monday: Steak, veggies
Tuesday: Kielbasa, brussel sprouts, brown rice
Wednesday: Hamburgers, okra
Thursday: Make your own dinner
Friday: Lazy Day Enchiladas
Saturday: Grilled Chicken, Loaded Hasselback Zucchini
Sunday: Caprese Chicken Sandwiches, Salad
What are you making this week?
Y’all I am so excited! I was scrolling news earlier and came across this, which has gone viral on many major news stations:
Why am I excited? For one, because lots of officers are feeling support. For two, because it’s my printable that I made back in 2014! How cool is that! Interested in making your own bags? Head on over to check out my post with the free Survival Kit for Police Officers printables.
Also see more information and support for our officers here.
My kids love listening to audio productions and this one did not disappoint. We took a few days and listened to Beric the Briton in the evenings before bed. Every night the kids groaned when I paused the CD so we could continue the next night. They were so intrigued that I believe they would have sat right there on the couch the entire duration if given the chance.
Beric the Briton is a 2 CD set with over 2 hours of audio drama. This time, in G.A. Henty’s adventures, we can join Beric and Bodouc as they are trained as gladiators and placed into the service of Nero during the Roman invasion! Through the audio adventures, you will hear as Beric and Bodouc are forced to face their Pagan past and overcome many obstacles. The Heirloom Audio Production mission includes bringing Christian history to life.
With the CD set, you’ll also gain exclusive access to lots of bonus products!
The study guide includes ways to help your child remember what they have heard, think about the lessons learned, and even grow their vocabulary.
The questions and activities are broken up in sections and clearly labeled with the areas to stop and discuss from the CDs, as you can see from above. All help point the children into understanding some wonderful lifelong concepts of courage and bravery.
As with The Dragon and the Raven, we just loved listening to the adventures in Beric the Briton. The sound effects are so wonderful that you feel like you’re actually there in the story as well with the gladiators and soldiers! It was very well done.
As a mom, I appreciate knowing that I do not have to worry that the kids will hear something inappropriate. This audio drama is geared toward children.
There is so much that I want to tell you about the story, but I don’t want to ruin it for you. All I can say is that it keeps you on the edge of your seat and thirsty for more. No complaints from me!
For more information or to find more adventures of G.A. Henty, visit the Heirloom Audio Productions website. You can also find Beric the Briton on Facebook, the G.A. Henry series on facebook, Heirloom Audio Productions on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and Instagram.
If you’re interested in hearing a little of the story, click here to listen to a few excerpts.
You can also find more reviews for this product by The Old Schoolhouse Review Crew by clicking the banner below.
Hooray! I know many of my homeschooling friends will be excited about this! Make sure you read the post in it’s entirety to get the discounted tickets.
LEGOLAND® Discovery Center Atlanta invites homeschoolers to get back into the school groove with its Homeschool Day on August 24! Local homeschoolers and their teachers will enjoy a fun-filled day complete with free LEGO® Education Workshops and activities to prepare for the upcoming school year.
WHAT: Homeschool Day Local homeschoolers will enjoy a fun-filled day of LEGO Education Workshops and activities to gear up for the school year!
WHEN: Sunday, August 24 from 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
WHERE: LEGOLAND Discovery Center Atlanta
Third Floor, Phipps Plaza | 3500 Peachtree Road in Buckhead
HOW: Homeschool Day is FREE for teachers and $7.00 per student. Local Homeschools can reserve a field trip by visiting http://bit.ly/HomeschoolLDC and completing the registration form. Homeschools must send the registration form and declaration of intent via fax to 404.848.9591 or email at LDCATL.Groupsales@
I’ve been wanting to write an article about Creative Consequences for kids, but first a little background.
Recently I was at the pool with my kids and a lady asked the typical question – “Are all of these your kids?”
“Of course,” I reply. “All five of them.”
Then she followed with asking if we homeschool.
“Yes we do.”
Then she asked a question that I’m not sure a random stranger had asked me before.
“What do you do about discipline?”
That made me actually think. What do we do about discipline?
For starters, I don’t refer to it so much as discipline, but as consequences.
Consequence is defined as a result or effect of an action or condition. This means good things and not so good things are a result of our actions.
When discipline is needed, I like for the consequence to fit the “crime” and flip it around to be something beneficial. Here are a few examples of common occurrences in our house and how we deal with them.
When a child oversteps his boundaries and bosses another child, I simply say “Oh hey there! I didn’t realize that you wanted to be the mommy/daddy today! I’m so glad to have a helper! I need you to (unload the dishwasher, take the dog out, help sibling with their shoes, take out the trash, etc) since you would like to be in charge, and I’ll take a break!” This usually helps remind them that the way they are acting is not ok. And yes, they are expected to complete whatever I just assigned to them.
My son can sometimes get too rough with his sisters or often “forgets” to do his chores completely. When this happens, I assign pushups. Not a ton, but even 10-20 can be a reminder of being disciplined enough to remember what is expected of him. This is a win-win. Not only is he getting a consequence to his actions, but he’s getting stronger! Now he can do over 30 pushups with not too much effort! He has even gotten to where he honestly doesn’t mind doing them!
Disrespect can get you any number of sentences to write, or even a 5 paragraph essay and/or a research project. That way they are simultaneously working on their writing skills.
During school time, sometimes the kids get fidgety or can’t focus. Instead of yelling at them to pay attention, I send them out to run the cul-de-sac a few times. I throw out a number of laps for them to run and often they will end up doing even more before coming inside so they can get all of their energy out. Now this isn’t meant to be over the top, where the kids are bitter at you. I’m not talking a hundred laps. I’m saying throw out 5 or 10 and see what they do.
Turning in sloppy schoolwork? Make them completely re-do it!
Wanting to go to youth group or another function and haven’t done your chores? Don’t expect mom to remind you. If it’s not done when it’s time to leave, sorry! You’re not going.
Leaving toys all over the house? You may find them in the bucket in the garage waiting to be donated or in toy time-out. Toys then have to be earned back.
Not listening when it’s time to leave the pool? Next time we go, you can sit out 5 minutes before getting in since you weren’t obedient.
Of course we have natural consequences as well. Too rough with a toy or possession and it breaks? I’m sorry. Mom is not going to buy a new one. However, you’re welcome to check the Jobs for Hire list and save up.
Take too long getting ready for bed? Sorry, you’ve used up story time.
Another fun one that I often use is ask them what their consequence should be for the incident. I’ve been amazed at some of the things that the kids have come up with.
It’s good to remember that the ultimate goal is to teach your children and not to humiliate them. Do you have any other creative consequences that work for your family? What do you do in your house?
Great news for those of you waiting for a World of Coca-Cola deal! I just heard from our rep there that from late July through August, eight-packs of Coca-Cola at select Atlanta retailers will feature a special World of Coca-Cola ticket offer! This offer is redeemable for two tickets for just $25. Keep an eye out for these when you go to the store!
Oh my goodness! We just had the time of our lives checking out an escape room in Athens, Georgia. Urban Enigmas is the newest Athens escape room that can be arranged for various experiences and difficulty levels. My husband and I went with our older 4 children, ages almost 13, 9, 7, and 5.
Urban Enigmas is a premier Athens escape room. They currently offer 2 escape game rooms, with more in the works.
We have been to an escape room once before, but I have to say that Urban Enigmas blew us out of the water with today’s experience! We were so impressed with how well thought out all the puzzles are in the game!
When you arrive for your escape room experience, be sure to be 15 minutes early so you can get checked in and sign the waivers. After checking in, you will watch a short video explaining how the game works and what to do and not to do while you’re in the room.
When you visit Urban Enigmas, I definitely recommend taking along the kids! My children noticed things that my husband and I didn’t, helping us to solve the puzzles faster than we would have on our own. Wonderful team building experience!
Throughout the game, the employees will be watching and providing hints and clues on the room monitors. This was pretty neat! The monitor would make a noise whenever a hint or clue was coming our way. If you get really stumped, you have 3 free clues to help you solve the puzzles.
Our family explored the Dorm Room Daze room and escaped with only 24 seconds to spare! I wish I could elaborate more on the fun we had and what both of their rooms have in common, but I don’t want to ruin it for when you go! All I can say is that you will be very pleased during your experience!
Now that we know how to escape from Dorm Room Daze, it’s only a matter of time before we return and try out Innocence. Definitely a top place to visit in my book!
For more information, please check out the Urban Enigmas website and book your escape room experience. You can also visit them on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Urban Enigmas also offers birthday party packages and group rates for your own team building experience.
Our friends at Urban Enigmas have graciously offered a giveaway so you can experience this Athens escape room and the fun that we had! This giveaway is for 2 free passes for the winner, a $56 value! To enter, simply fill out the Rafflecopter below. Good luck!
