We recieved our shipment from Veritas Press very rapidly.  I really didn't expect it to arrive for quite awhile, being that we are in the holiday season and all.  I was very excited once it arrived!

     I am very anxious to get started with the Phonics Museum.  There are a ton of hands on activites involved.  I think it will help to make it more fun.  Both of my children seem to enjoy the hands on approach to learning.  I guess it has a lot to do with their ages.  There are phonics flash cards that do have pictures on them.  The picutures are great works of art.  I found it a refreshing change from the usual plain pictures that are more commonly used.  I pulled them out the other day to show my almost three-year old.  I found it interesting how he would spend more time looking at each card.  What a clever approach to teaching beginning letter sounds!  I was also surprised to find that he already knows the letters in the alphabet by appearance!  I have not spent any time teaching him, but I guess he just picked it up by listening to me teach his older brother.  It is amazing how like sponges they really are!

     I also think the Saxon math program looks good.  I decided to start with the kindergarten level, mainly because I don't want to skip too far ahead.  Randy is not suppose to officially start kindergarten until fall of 2008.  Starting now gives me a good head start to get my bearings.  (I have had some bouts of anxiety recently due to feelings of "Can I really do this???")

     I absolutely love the "Beethovan lives upstairs!"  I think it is a wonderful approach to introducing the history of the composers and their music.  I was surprised, again, that my children seemed to already be familiar with some of the music .  We do not have a habit of listening to classical music, but they have been introduced to it through such things as "The Little Einstiens," and our "Charlie Brown's Christmas" cd, among other things.

     We also have the Veritas Art Primer Collection.  It is a small collection of books that introduce the names of a few great artists through interesting stories.  I like it, but for some reason I was thinking there would be more in the way of activities.  So, I am left with putting together some kind of art program.  I am thinking of using each book, one per week.  Spending time that week to learn about the artist and doing a few art acitvities that coincide with that particular artist's style. 

     Lastly, we have the "Children's Illustrated Bible."  I like it a lot.  The stories are kept somewhat simple, though the language is a bit above that of my almost five-year old, Randy.  We started with it already, and I think we will make it a point to continue.  I think that due to the fact that it appears to be on the higher level, we will be able to use it again through the next years to come.  Afterall, it never hurts to repeat stories such as those.

     As of right now, we are getting busier by the day with our holiday activities.  I love the special moments the holidays bring, but the chaos I could do without!  But, I know that Christmas will be over all too soon, then we will have to deal with the holiday let down that inevitably comes.  Hopefully, the start of our school year will keep us busy enough that we won't think too much about it!