......and would you believe I'm sitting at my computer, just surfing the net and NOT working?!  LOL  So, I thought i'd take a few minutes and post a bit about our past week......

First of all, I must say that I'm getting really exciting about the upcoming planner by TOS!  Kris and I have been busy brainstorming/scheming and coming up with lots of great pages.  This is going to  be the Cadillac of planners, ladies!  It's going to have it ALL!  I'll keep you posted on release date, etc.;  but we're definitely planning to have it available for download by June sometime (as most homeschool years run July-June). 

I've seen alot of great E-Books cross my path of late!  If you're a lapbook person, check out all the lapbook kits by Knowledge Box Central~ we sell tons of them at the Schoolhouse Store and they should all have a  review up with them now.  Something else I reviewed this week was unit studies by Brandenburg Studies;  I had never seen them before but I'm very impressed with how colorful they are, all the internet links they include, and the fact that they will send you bi-annual updates to the studies (what a value for your money).  Another  great product that has crossed my path recently is some new copywork books by my friend Ginny~ you have got to check these out!  I'm crossing A Reason for Handwriting off of Gracie's list for next year, and will be using Ginny's cursive copywork book instead~ not only will it be great writing practice, but Gracie will be writing and learning Scripture (and some great character traits as well).  I see so many wonderful products~ so I'm going to try to share them with you as I think of it~ so that you might benefit from them as well.

Speaking of the Schoolhouse Store, how would you like to win a $50 gift certificate?!  I know I would!  (But, unfortunately, I can't play!)  Check out the Front Porch (here at HSB)~ Tia has posted a great contest for you and it's so easy that you just HAVE to participate!  If you are not a homeschoolblogger, and you'd like in on the contest, I'm running the exact same contest over at My Nook at The Homeschool Lounge~ check it out!

And, did you see the banner at the top of my blog?  If not, that's what the contest and all the hype is about~ it's the BIG SPRING PROMOTION sale at The Old Schoolhouse Magazine!  if you don't already subscribe, now is your chance to do so, and you'll get 25 AWESOME gifts just for subscribing.  Do it now (by clicking on that banner!) 

I know I talk alot about TOS, but did you know that you can sign up to be an affiliate with them?  I've been reading (and loving) the magazine for a long time, and I never realized that I could be an affiliate.  I just signed up yesterday.  You can too!

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OK, so enough about work already!  How about some "regular" stuff?!

Well, today we took Gracie (and Ian, but he doesn't really count because he was basically just rolling around on the floor and/or getting in our way) bowling.  Boy, was that an experience!  Considering that Gracie weighs just a bit over 40 pounds, she was expected to lift a bowling ball about 1/5 of her weight!  She ended up more or less rolling it.  But (and I'm really exposing my very unsporty self here), she and I ended up tying at 100 points each in the first game!  Not bad for a 7-year old who's never been bowling before.  (No comment about the 38 year old who has!  LOL)  Anyway, it was great fun, and I'm sure Gracie will be wanting to go again sometime.

As I stated in a previous post, we're really winding down our school year.  If all goes as planned (and nothing ever really does, does it?), we should finish up on May 22nd.  Both girls (because they're in 8th and 3rd grade) are in years that are required testing years here in PA.  I called our evaluator and, bless her heart, she is coming to our house on Tuesday to do the testing AND their evaluations.  Gracie's not one bit nervous, but Ashley really hates achievement-style tests (I believe this stems from her short time in public school).  If you think to say a prayer for her on Tuesday, it would be much appreciated.

Oh, and one more thing......remember how I said I was giving up coffee for tea?  Well, occasionally a person just wants a cup of coffee.  And, lucky me, I received this great bag of coffee from my friend Missy~ it's Gevalia's German Chocolate Cake flavor, and boy is it yummy!  (I just had to share that!)

Now, I'm rambing!   

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Apr. 5, 2008 - Thanks for promoting my copybook....

Posted by proverbsmomof3

you are so sweet. I will be entering the contest as son as I get around to it. What a great prize. Sounds like you bowl like me. I wonder if there is a 'little ball" bowling alley in your area. I think they call them candlepin. I used to love that, but here where we live there is in only one alley in the whole area. We always get them to put the bumpers up for our daughter. She scores a bit better (and so do I, LOL) I will keep you guys in my prayers for the testing. I'm so glad that we don't have to do that. I do test the kids myself, but it is not required. I understand Ashley's apprehension. I don't thinkthose test are a good measure of what someone knows.
Have a wonderful Sunday.

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Apr. 6, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by crysnrod

Heidi, You are a wealth of information!! I am really looking forward to the TOS planner!!!
Hugs,
Crystal

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Apr. 7, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Felicity

I'm sure both the girls will do fine on their tests tomorrow! Are they online or paper and pencil? Ours are all computerized down here so we get immediate results. Ash can be glad she doesn't live in VA since we have standardized tests at the end of most courses! I actually like them, but I suspect some of my students might disagree!

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Apr. 7, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by nikkisimcox

Ok , I admit it ... I don't know what the TOS planner is all about. I haven't heard about it yet but I'm eager for info.

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