Thursday, May 19, 2016

Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Joy of Less + Giveaway!

**Complimentary products received in exchange for our honest review.  All opinions are ours and ours alone**


In the Age of Disposables—fashion, phones, glasses, and even friends!—some people are finding joy by rediscovering the simple life. They’re cleaning house, both literally and figuratively, and finding themselves better for it. By getting rid of excess “stuff” and trimming down their over-filled schedules, they feel happier and more fulfilled than ever before. It’s really true that little can go a long way.

With Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Joy of Less, spring cleaning takes on a whole new meaning. You’ll read stories about people who found happiness in an unlikely way: by saying no. No to buying more stuff, no to taking on additional time-filling commitments, and no to trying to please everyone all of the time.

In this book you’ll also meet people who have found contentment in simplicity by spending time with their family during “staycations.” You’ll also read about people who cut out some of the everyday stressors in life by simply “unplugging” by turning off their smartphones and staying away from the Internet for a day. It’s amazing what a little break can do.

You’ll even meet people who lost almost everything, but found happiness rediscovering who they really are and turning catastrophe into opportunity. When forced to simplify because the going gets tough, the tough get creative and find ways to flourish.

Whether it’s cleaning out your closets and holding a yard sale or taking a stand for your wellbeing by keeping time to yourself, there are a hundred different ways to find joy in less. 

Get Connected:
Twitter: @ChickenSoupSoul (https://twitter.com/chickensoupsoul)

Instagram: @chickensoupsoul (http://instagram.com/chickensoupsoul)

Win It:
Enter to win one of three copies of Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Joy of Less

Do-It-Yourself Fun Schooling Journal for 1st - 3rd Grade by Sarah Janisse Brown

**Complimentary products received in exchange for our honest review.  All opinions are ours and ours alone**

I recently stumbled across author Sarah Janisse Brown's Homeschool Journals and fell in  love with her simple approach to "fun schooling" that allows room for kiddos of all ages to explore their creativity in ways that work for their particular learning styles.

She has a fantastic journal for 1st-3rd grade kiddos to get started on their fun-schooling journey:



This plan is perfect for beginner readers and struggling readers and even includes several pages of Art & Logic Games that help with dyslexia, reading confusion, and letter reversals. 

This book is packed with activities that will help children to:

1. Focus on details

2. Think logically.


3. Be creative

4. Learn to draw


5. Explore and study nature

6. Pay attention

7. Have fun with early reading and writing skills


8. Play with numbers

9. Design things


10. Grow in a love for books

11. Learn from educational movies and tutorials.


Homeschooling should be fun! 
These journals are designed to ignite a passion for books, creativity and delight directed learning. Homeschoolers thrive when the learning plan allows children freedom and flexibility to learn what they enjoy.

The goal of Fun-Schooling is to spark a love for learning, and then help your child to get organized and develop many important skills.

My kiddos think homeschooling with these journals is a lot of fun.  If you want a lighter curriculum for the summer months, check out fun-schooling journals!


Disclosure: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

EO: Everyone Essential Oils Make It Easy To Find Relief!

**Complimentary products received in exchange for our honest review.  All opinions are ours and ours alone**

I love using essential oils!  We always have some oil or another in our diffuser to provide a welcoming scent or aid in any sort of illness or ache.  Different blends of high quality oils can provide relief for many everyday health issues, but knowing how to blend the oils to make them effective can sometimes be tricky.  Everyone Essential Oils makes it easy to get relief with just a few drops of their expertly blended oil combinations.

Check out a handful of these awesome blends:


Everyone™ Aromatherapy Blend Pure Essential Oil Focus
Focus is a mindful blend to help you pay attention to the moment at hand. This synergistic essential oil blend of Rosemary, Peppermint, Orange and Lemon will bring you into the here and now, naturally. 

Everyone™ Aromatherapy Blend Pure Essential Oil Fresh
Fresh is refreshing and relaxing, like a walk in the woods. This synergistic essential oil blend of Pine, Juniper, and Cedarwood will give your space that bright, fresh outside scent naturally.  


Everyone™ Aromatherapy Blend Pure Essential Oil Breathe
Breathe is clarifying and invigorating. This synergistic blend of Lavender, Lemon, Eucalyptus, Peppermint, and Orange is created to help you breathe a little easier. Add a few drops to a bowl of hot water for a refreshing steam treatment. Diffuse this oil in any space that feels a little stale. 

Everyone™ Aromatherapy Blend Pure Essential Oil Relief
Relief is soothing and peaceful. This synergistic blend of Lavender, Peppermint, and Orange is created to help you get sweet relief from life’s little bothers. This blend makes a great pillow spray! Combine several drops of this oil with water in a spray bottle and spritz your pillows in the morning and before bed. Diffuse this oil in any space where people need to relax. 

Everyone™ essential oils are ready to use right out of the box - they come with a glass dropper and suggestions for how to use them.  The best news?  Many of these blends are now available in Target® Stores nationwide!


Disclosure: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Scholastic Roundup: Picture Books That Teach History!

**Complimentary products received in exchange for our honest review.  All opinions are ours and ours alone**

As homeschoolers, books are our most important tool for learning.  Our favorite place to find great books is Scholastic.  We can always count on finding wonderful books at affordable prices every time we shop.

For the next few weeks we will posting several roundup posts for some of our favorite Scholastic releases for Spring and early Summer reading.

This roundup features 3 of our favorite picture books for learning about history:


Everybody loves a pop-up book so it's no wonder that this book was a huge hit with my kiddos:


The White House: A Pop-Up of Our Nation's Home by Robert Sabuda

In this spectacular pop-up guide to the White House by bestselling paper engineer Robert Sabuda, readers can take a tour behind the scenes of the office of the executive branch and the residence of the president and his family. 


Travel through time as you open each spread and discover the North Face of the White House, the East Room, the Lincoln Bedroom, the Rose Garden, the Oval Office, and the South Lawn of the White House. The text includes the poem "Inauguration Day" by Richard Watson Gilder, adapted by Robert Sabuda.

Every American president since John Adams has lived in the White House. More than 1.5 million people visit the White House every year. According to First Lady Michelle Obama, "It's the 'People's House.' It's a place that is steeped in history, but it's also a place where everyone should feel welcome." 

The White House: A Pop-Up of Our Nation's Home is perfect for Presidents Day and the upcoming election.

Teaching my kiddos that no matter who you are, if you put your mind to it, you can do great things has always been super important.  This book is a great tool for teaching them about 50 women who did just that!


Women Who Changed the World: 50 Amazing Americans by Laurie Calkhoven

Women have always played an important role in the history of the United States. But before they were women, they were regular girls just like anyone else. So how did these seemingly ordinary girls grow up to be such extraordinary women?


In Women Who Changed the World, you'll meet fifty of the most influential and inspirational American women who had a lasting impact on our nation and the world. Starting with some of America's "Founding Mothers" like Pocahontas and Abigail Adams, and continuing up to the present day with game changers like Hillary Clinton, Oprah, and Misty Copeland, the book features a unique and diverse cast from all walks of life. With a mix of photographs and quirky illustrations, Women Who Changed the World is a fun and exciting read that will inspire future generations of leaders for years to come!

Did you know about the real-life friendship of Susan B Anthony and Frederick Douglass?  This beautifully illustrated picture book gives a peek into the friendship of these two amazing people and their contributions to the United States:


Two Friends: Susan B. Anthony and Frederick Douglass by Dean Robbins

Some people had rights, while others had none.
Why shouldn't they have them, too?

Two friends, Susan B. Anthony and Frederick Douglass, get together for tea and conversation. They recount their similar stories fighting to win rights for women and African Americans. The premise of this particular exchange between the two is based on a statue in their hometown of Rochester, New York, which shows the two friends having tea.


The text by award-winning writer Dean Robbins teaches about the fight for women's and African Americans' rights in an accessible, engaging manner for young children. Two Friends is beautifully illustrated by Selina Alko and Sean Qualls, the husband-and-wife team whose The Case for Loving received three starred reviews! Two Friends includes back matter with photos of Susan B. Anthony and Frederick Douglass.

Just because it's almost summer doesn't mean the learning has to stop!  
Stock up on great books to bust boredom and keep kids reading all summer long at Scholastic!

Disclosure: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Wednesday, May 18, 2016

Paper Pumpkin Craft Kit- April Edition!

**Complimentary products received in exchange for our honest review.  All opinions are ours and ours alone**

The kiddos and I love being crafty and embarking on fun DIY projects together, so we were very excited to find out about Paper Pumpkin:


Paper Pumpkin is a subscription service created by Stampin' Up!  They expertly design, color, measure, and cut it all for you, making it super easy to get crafty, even for beginners! Each month you'll receive a box that includes everything you need to complete the month's project: paper, stamps, ink, accessories, and more!


Here is a peek inside the April Paper Pumpkin, which was a special anniversary box and included lots of rubber stamps, ink and a wreath making kit, perfect for Spring holidays:


The paper kit, including the wreath and all of the embellishments needed to create beautiful, handcrafted cards for all occasions:



A great selection of stamps and an ink pad:


Step-by-step instructions with photos to create the wreath were also included. 

The wreath took a bit longer than the cards usually do, but I think the outcome was worth the wait:


Paper Pumpkin has past kits available to members while supplies last.  Click here to see a list of complete kits and refill kits that are available to order.

A Paper Pumpkin subscription is just $19.95/month (save $1/month with a 6-month subscription or $2/month with a 12-month subscription) and very well worth it in our opinion.  The crafts are fun and not at all intimidating, not to mention they provide results you can be proud of!



Disclosure: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Oceans: World Beneath the Waves from Mill Creek Entertainment

**Complimentary products received in exchange for our honest review.  All opinions are ours and ours alone**

My kiddos love learning about the animal kingdom and one of their absolute favorite things to learn about is ocean life.  We were really excited to get the chance to review this fantastic DVD collection from Mill Creek Entertainment:



This set contains over 60 hours of deep sea discovery featuring legendary explorer John Stoneman.

Synopsis:
More than 70 percent of the Earth's surface is covered by oceans, home to a majority of our planet's animal and plant species - many of which have never been discovered. The sea creatures we do know are mysterious, beautiful, dangerous, and soothing all at the same time. See them like never before in this special 12-disc set featuring renowned ocean cinematographer John Stoneman.  Experience everything under the sea - stunning coral reefs, sharks, whales, dolphins, even sunken ships!

Check it out:

Tuesday, May 17, 2016

Spring Clean Your Laundry with Purex Plus Clorox2! #SocialInsiders

**Complimentary products received in exchange for our honest review.  All opinions are ours and ours alone**

Purex has something new and it just so happens to be their best clean available! Purex® plus Clorox 2® combines the bright clean of Purex® detergent with an extra powerful boost of Clorox 2® stain fighters.


Purex® plus Clorox2 detergent is specially formulated with Clorox 2® stain-fighting enzymes to remove the toughest stains. It works with all washing machines, including High-Efficiency (HE).


The new stain fighting detergent is safe for colors and works with 100 different stains!  It leaves every load bright and clean and is a smart value.  There are two scents to choose from, Original Fresh and Sunny Linen.


We love Purex products and this detergent is no different:)  You can find Purex at mass merchandisers and grocers nationwide!

Get Connected:


Disclosure: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.