Monday, November 18, 2013

Rose Art Extreme Air Brush Studio Review

At our house we love to get creative. We were super excited to be chosen to review the Rose Art Extreme Air Brush Studio.

It come with markers, stencils, motorized pump and sprayer. It's super easy to set up. No assembly required! Put in the batteries and you are ready to create. Gotta love that!

The Extreme Air brush studio transforms any RoseArt Super Tip marker into a motorized airbrush. Children will be able to do this on their own and will have hours of fun with this toy. It's super simple. Just select any RoseArt SuperTip Marker and load it into the handle of the motorized sprayer. Make sure the marker is inserted all the way into the handle. Adjust the marker forward or backward slightly to achieve the desired spray pattern. Select your favorite stencil and lay it on a blank sheet of paper. Turn on the motorized sprayer, press the red button on the handle and spray away! You can use the stencils that it comes with or just create your own masterpiece!

Be sure to head to youtube to view a video of this awesome toy in action!

If you think your child would love to see this under the tree you are in luck! Walmart will be selling this for $9.97 instead of $19.97 on Black Friday.

Emma wanted to give a video review of the product! Check it out here!

We love RoseArt product. The company is celebrating their 90th anniversary this year! Be sure to like their page on Facebook and enter their giveway. There are weekly prizes for VISA gift cards as well as Rose Art products.

Here are are few of the great art pieces we made with the Rose art Extreme Air Brush Studio.

We look forward to making many more great pieces of art with this great item!

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Cicadas Express Lapbook Review

During our nature walk one afternoon we discovered several cicada shells on our trees.

We headed to the internet to find out more and ran across this unit study/lapbook. This inexpensive resource was filled with all information that we needed to learn more about these odd creatures!

If you are new to lapbooks, have no fear. Helpful links as well as photos are included to help you understand how they are put together. The download has everything that you need to get started. Lapbook pieces, background information, as well as fun internet links for hands on fun are all at your fingertips! You can add in other resources if you want to but it's great on it's on! Great value! We enjoyed this product and will look for more of these products to enhance our unit studies.

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Infinity Permanent Markers from The Write Dudes

We love to craft with markers so when we were sent two packs of Infinity Permanent Markers from The Write Dudes we could not wait to put them to use! They came at a great time! We were just starting to work on a booth for the library to enter in the local fair. These markers helped to make our project fun! They worked on a variety of surfaces. We used them on a wooden sign:

We also used them to color in the vines and leaves on our banner made from a drop cloth

My daughters are also putting them to use ona variey of paper crafts on a daily basis!

These markers are bold, bright and fit nicely in your hand. As you can see they write well on a variety of surfaces! No crafty home should be with a least on set of these markers! Give them a try today, you will not be disappointed.

The markers are sold at department stores, crafts store and online!

Autumn Leaves! Mini Science Project

This is a simple experiment with a great visual of why and how leaves change colors. I loved the fact that this product is simple to use and easy to implement. This items that you need are common household items! Just alcohol and coffee filters! Fun and educational, can't get better than that!

If you want to give it a try click here!

You can see the green climbing up the coffee filter here!

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Spirituality for Kids Review

As a homeschool mom character training is an important topic that we cover daily. We talk about how we should live our lives and the way that we should treat others. Children learn by example and I try to surround them with people that feel the same way that we do. We also use character training materials to supplement every day live experiences. Some times it is hard to find character training curriculum that is easy to implement as well as engaging to my children. I was excited to give Spirituality for Kids a try.

Spirituality for Kids is broken down in to 12 weekly lessons. They follow a young boy who has been transported into a video game called The Game of Life. In the game he learns how is choice effect him as well as the other around him. the website includes a pdf workbook with activities and journal ideas to complete after each lesson. Best of all this website is free to use. It is very easy to incorporate and involves very little teacher planning. Those are important facts to this busy homeschool mom. Give this a try today and see how you and your children enjoy it.

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Learning Across the USA by Kathy Hutto review Currclick Challenge

This year we are learning all about the United States. We plan to read across america, reading aloud a book set in each of the 50 states. As we finish our read aloud we research the state using these great notebooking pages. I love the fact that they print in black and white, saving on ink, and allowing the child to add their own color to the pages. This download also included a blank map that we color in as we "visit" the state. Some other neat features in this product include a travel ticket to print, bird and flag coloring pages, and a review game. This would work well to teach to a group of students or just to use in a home setting as we are.

This is our notebook with our tickets to Flordia! Daddy read a book set in GA and in Florida to us each night. It was called Defeat of the Ghost Riders: Mary McCloud Bethune (Trailblazer Books #23. One neat thing about this book was that part of it was set in our home town of Statesboro, Ga.

We look forward to using this resource as we Read Across America!

Friday, September 6, 2013

Knowledge Box Central Kit American Girl Lapbook Review and Giveaway

The girls have been attending the American girl club on Currclick.com. The club has been reading through the Kit series. We decided to wrap up our study with this awesome lapbook from Knowledge Box Central.

We are not new to lapbooking, but if you are she explains how to put the booklets together very well! A picture of the completed laabook is included for visual people like me. That takes the guess work out of where to place things. So much is covered in these templates history, copy work, character, vocabulary and much more.

We have used several Knowledge Box Central products in the past in our homeschool. This definitely will not be the last! Now the girls have a special keepsake to show others what they have learned and can look back over the material anytime they want.

Customer service at Knowledge box central is amazing. They are always quick to rely to any question that you might have. They are so kind and really have a heart for homeschool families!

Knowledge box central carries many lapbooks for the American Girl Series and well as many other topics of study. Check them out today you will not be disappointed.Customer service at Knowledge box central is amazing. They are always quick to rely to any question that you might have. They are so kind and really have a heart for homeschool families! They have given me a copy of this lapbook to give away to a lucky reader. Enter below for your chance to win! The contest to run through Sept. 12th winner will be announced Sept. 13th

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tuesday, September 3, 2013

365 Days of Pinterest Day 7

Pinterest has so many fun ideas! We have tried some but I really want to try more!

We are taking the 365 DAYS OF PINTEREST Challenge from Almost Super Mom!

Today this serves double duty! We are working our way though saved items and review items in our Currclick.com account.

We volunteer for a program with our local library that requires us to type review for books. My girls have a hard time coming up with what to say at times. This great little poster serves as a great reminder! We posted in in our school room above our white board.

This colorful poster will help kids as they write book reports or work on other writing assignments. Sometimes it's hard to get started on a topic and even harder to stay on task. This is a cute way to post a visual solution to that problem! To top if off it's FREE! Can't be that! Give it a try today!

Thursday, August 29, 2013

Tornadoes - Speedy Lapbook from homeschool bits

Here in Georgia we have been living though some extreme weather. We have been able to experience first hand some of the science topics we have read about. No tornadoes thankfully but it's a good topic to be aware of and learn how to be safe if one does come our way!

I am a unit study mama and I really enjoy putting together my own units. As we all know that takes time and most of us don't have much of that to spare. This is where homeschol bits products come in handy.

If you are new to lapbooks, have no fear. Helpful links as well as photos are included to help you understand how they are put together. The download has everything that you need to get started. Lapbook pieces, background information, as well as fun internet links for hands on fun are all at your fingertips! You can add in other resources if you want to but it's great on it's on! Great value! We enjoyed this product and will look for more of these products to enhance our unit studies.

Saturday, August 24, 2013

365 Days of Pinterest Day 6 August 6th Musical Thoughts Live Class

Pinterest has so many fun ideas! We have tried some but I really want to try more!

We are taking the 365 DAYS OF PINTEREST Challenge from Almost Super Mom!

Today this serves double duty! We are working our way though saved items and review items in our Currclick.com account. We attended a live session today from Musical Thoughts. This class has been a great introduction to jazz music for our family. Miss Lindsey is super sweet and very knowledgeable about all things musical. One of my favorite things about these lives classes is the chance to watch the recordings if you can't make the live class. Sitting in the live class is always more for my girls if we can make it. They love the interaction they are able to have with the teacher as well as the other students in the room. My girls are 8 and 10 so I sat in on the classes as well. I even learned a lot from these sessions. We look forward to taking other classes with Musical Thoughts and suggest that you look in to them as well. They are reasonably priced and very high quality!

To learn more about these classes please visit: http://www.currclick.com/index.php?manufacturers_id=454

Check her page on facebook for specials and class updates. Tell Mrs Lindsay the Sack Crew sent ya!

Sunday, August 18, 2013

365 Days of Pinterest Day 5 August 5th Organizing Pot Lids

Pinterest has so many fun ideas! We have tried some but I really want to try more!

We are taking the 365 DAYS OF PINTEREST Challenge from Almost Super Mom!

Today we took a dish drainer and put ALL our pot lids in in! This clears up more space that I ever imagined it would and now we can find the lids more easily!

Thursday, August 8, 2013

365 Days of Pinterest Day 4 August 4th Masking Tape Canvas/Abstract Art

Pinterest has so many fun ideas! We have tried some but I really want to try more!

We are taking the 365 DAYS OF PINTEREST Challenge from Almost Super Mom!

We decided to make Masking Tape Canvas/Abstract Art. I just had one canvas on hand so we all worked together on this project!

We made out design with masking tape and painted each section with a different color.

All painted

After the tape is removed!

Tuesday, August 6, 2013

Tybee Pier Photos

Each year I decided to try to take a picture of the kids in the same spot from behind to see how they have grown. I chose the tybee pier. Enjoy this walk down memory lane with me. Pier Photo 2008
Pier Photo 2009
Pier Photo 2010 (This year Emma WOULD NOT participate, so this is the best that I got)
Pier 2011

Tybee Pier Photo 2012

Pier 2013

These kids are my world and I am so thankful for them. I am blessed to be able to make precious memories with them daily!

Monday, August 5, 2013

365 Days of Pinterest Day 3 August 3rd Dish Pan Coloring Book/activity Book storage

Pinterest has so many fun ideas! We have tried some but I really want to try more!

We are taking the 365 DAYS OF PINTEREST Challenge from Almost Super Mom!

Our new school year is starting soon so I have been looking for new storage ideas. When I saw the neat idea to use a dish drain to store activity and coloring book we gave it a try. We used the place where utensils go us store crayons and other writing instruments. We placed it on a shelf in our art station. I am hoping that having them out in the open will provide easy access!

365 DAYS OF PINTEREST Challenge Day 2 August 2nd DIY Hummingbird Nectar

Pinterest has so many fun ideas! We have tried some but I really want to try more!

We are taking the 365 DAYS OF PINTEREST Challenge from Almost Super Mom! Day Two: DIY Hummingbird Nectar

We just got a great new hummingbird feeder so we made our own hummingbird food today. Super simple!

All you need is sugar and water. We boiled 4 cups of water and added 1 cup of sugar. When it is dissolved it is ready to go!

Can't wait to watch these fascinating creatures at our feeder!

Sunday, August 4, 2013

365 DAYS OF PINTEREST Day 1 August 1st

Pinterest has so many fun ideas! We have tried some but I really want to try more!

We are taking the 365 DAYS OF PINTEREST Challange from Almost Super Mom! Day one: We decided to make our own snowcone syrup! To make your own follow these simple instructions!

DIY snow-cone syrup. Add 2 cups sugar and 1 cup water into saucepan ans stir over medium heat to dissolve sugar. Bring to a boil and then immediately remove from heat. Don’t allow mixture to boil for longer than a minute or your syrup will be too thick.

Allow to cool then add your favorite unsweetened kool-aid package. Stpre in fridge. Pour over finely crushed ice.

Yummy!

Friday, July 26, 2013

Welcome to Sack Fine Art Galley

Pinterest Inspired Me! I saw this pin and I knew I wanted this for our home! We have a stairway leading to our bonus room/learning room that would be great for it! I found a great company on Facebook called Live It Up Vinyl

She created a custom piece for our space!

We added a curtain rod and clips. we can't wait to fill the wall with more of our creations!

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

All About Fireworks (4th of July Fun) with Brandenburg Studies Review

With the 4th of July quickly approaching we wanted to learn a little more about fireworks! This inexpensive study was a perfect fit. It includes information about the history of fireworks, activity pages to print, crafts and recipes to make, and even links to online games and videos. When we watch the fireworks this year will think about all of the neat things that we learned from this unit. Lots of work goes into making fireworks and it's a little sad they they only last a short time. The crafts and food items that we make from this unit will last long after the bang and the brilliant light show that fireworks produce.

This unit is completely download and go! Perfect resource for busy homeschool moms!

When he headed out to watch the local fireworks in a near by field we had a better understanding of how they worked!

Friday, July 12, 2013

Mini-Bulletin Board - Owls Review

We are still working our way through all of the great items in our Currclick.com account. The new school is upon us so we have been doing a little updating and reorganizing. When I saw this cute freebie I had the perfect place to try it out! We have a school rules poster that I printed for free from eighteen2525

To update it for this year I printed off some of the owls and other cute graphics from this free download:

Owls are very popular in school room decor these days! This cute set will bring color and encouragement to any space. It has colorful owls,flowers, umbrellas and clouds to print out and use any way that you chose. Kathy includes tips and a sample layout with this download but if your space is small you can print the pages that you need and place them around the room to give a little visual interest where needed. Also included is the bible verse "He Restores My Soul" Great for homeschool, churches or daycare centers!

We laminated the pieces and love it way it turned out!

Get your freebie today!

Be sure to check out all the other great products from Kathy Hutto. We have used many of her products in the past and have enjoyed them all!

Are you taking the Currclclick challenge? What products have you used this week?

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Digital Frog Field Trips

Every homeschool family dreams of going on awesome field trips. Time and money often prohibit these dreams. Digital Frog Field Trips can help!

They offer field trips virtually to The Desert, The Rain Forest and to the Wetlands. The whole unit offers a multi - media approach which appeals to children with a variety of learning styles. After visiting each place parents and teachers can download a workbook to accompany lesson. It includes tips, suggestions, quizzes and crossword puzzles to enhance the learning.

What I enjoyed most about this was how easy it is to use. It truly is download and go! The whole family can benifit from this awesome resource. It does seem geared towards junior high or high age children based on the vocabulary but all of my children (ages 8-18) learned a lot from it!

Right now these product are on sale at Educents. Check them out today and head off on your very on field trip with out packing a thing!

Wednesday, June 5, 2013

Take A Trip Tuesday! Virtual Style

Each Tuesday this summer out theme will be "Take A Trip Tuesday" This week we are taking a virtual trip using a great product from www.currclick.com by Kathy Hutto. This is very cost effecting! The entire trip costs just $2.00!

We have been to the Georgia Aquarium before and really enjoyed our visit. It has been several years and I wasn't sure just what the girls would remember about it. They surprised me though with lots of memories of the field trip. We didn't want to make the trip again right now, it's a 4 hours drive, so we did the next best thing, we took a virtual trip!

We started out by reading the introduction. This gave us some background information that prepared us for our "trip"

Next we visited the websites that are listed. These were a collection of YouTube links, websites, and blog posts with pictures. This gave us a inside look at the Georgia Aquarium. What an amazing place! We all learned so much, mom included!

After the virtual tours we went over some fun facts. Then we completed our lapbook that will showcase all that we have learned on our trip!

If you are more into notebooking there are notebooking pages as well!

Also included are ideas from lunch and snacks. We plan to give some of these a try.

To wrap up our tour you need a souvenir to take home. Ideas for craft projects are included.

Kathy has several other field trips in this series! We can't wait to do more!

Monday, June 3, 2013

Make It Monday! Cake/Cookie Stand

Each day of our summer is going to have a theme! Monday's theme will be "Make It Monday"!

We took this idea from pinterest! We made cake/cookie stands for William's graduation party from dollar tree plates and candle sticks!

You will need plates, candle sticks and e6000 glue.

Apply glue to your candle stick base and put the plate on top!

Let it dry and then load it up with goodies!

Thursday, May 23, 2013

End of a Journey

Cap, Gown, Tassel, Diploma, announcements and party invites for William's graduation are in! This has really made things final. On June 8th he will graduate from our homeschool. WHAT A RIDE! When we started this journey 12 years ago we said we would take it year by year. Looking back, with in a month or two I knew that there would be no turning back. This experience has been life changing! Homeschooling William for the past 12 years has taught me more than anyone will ever know. Not only on a educational level but a personal level as well. I have learned things about my self and not all of those things were good things! Being with William day in and day out I would see things in his character that bugged me. After much thought and reflection I realized that he was learning those things from me! YIKES! What a big responsibility! On the other hand I would see him do great things with his life and see great qualities in him as well. That was a treat. I knew that the things that I had taught him were sinking in and those little moments made it all worth it. As I think back over the years I was suppose to be the one teaching William, yet he was really teaching me! Here are a few of the things that he taught me. Patience- Ok so I am still working on that some days (Emma is in the 2nd grade, so I have 10 more years to perfect that LOL) I am sure that William will say I need lots of work on that one, especially after our 9th grade physical science course and ANY TIME he saw a fraction or decimal in math! Debate- This guy can argue with a stop sign, AND WIN! He never backs down and is always ready to prove his point. I hope that this skill will serve him well in the future. We wants go in to the political field so I am sure that it will.

Computers- I know how to do most of things that I want to do on the computer but if I ever had a problem I knew where to turn. William was always ready to help me out but he would never just do the things I needed. He would tell me, and make me work on it step by step until I got it right! Such a great teacher, right. Guess he learned from the best. What "school" is- As a child I really did not enjoy school. School was a chunk of my day where I was forced to learn what others thought I should learn and graded me on those things. I did not always do well so that cause much stress. William has taught me that school is not something that you can put in a box and just "do". We truly are learning all the time. I have learned to love "school" and I now love to learn new things! Music Appreciation- William listens to a wide variety of music. Some good and some not so good :) He has taught me to be tolerant of his music choices and I have taught him to tolerate mine. We each have found that we agree on some of those selections and noting beats a good 80's music jam session in the car, especially when he uses his cell phone as his mic! Music class on my watch has to include a little of my favorite group of all times, New Kids on the Block. William has learned that his mama has mad skills when it come to rapping and he just LOVES to hear me rap and sing all of my favorite childhood song. (NOT) Yes, music class is always fun! Character- William has taught me not to judge others. He has the biggest heart.

To be believe in my self- When I had no idea if I could continue this journey, he would tell me that I was the best mother ever! He praised me and let me know that homeschooling was the right choice and that we could do this TOGETHER!

"Experts" and well meaning people in society DO NOT KNOW IT ALL- Through out this journey we have been hit with much negativity and advise for EVERY WHERE! William has taught me that at the end of the day NONE of that matters! You must look inside your self and do what is right for YOU! You can not live your life for anyone else. You must make choices that will make you happy and the rest will fall in line.

Just do it- William has taught me to plan less and do more. If you spend all your time planning you never have time to do the things that you want. He has taught me to jump right in and just go for it!

Be a team player- There is a big age gap between William and his sisters, 8 and 10 years, to be exact. Some of the field trips and activities that have taken part in over the years have often been below his level, he never once complained and joined in with a happy heart. This meant a lot to me as his teacher and his sisters will have so many memories of the good times they had learning side by side with him.

Make you own happy- You can not count on others to make you happy, you create your own happiness! Run with that!

As we come to the end of this journey I hope that I have been able to impact William's life in a positive manner. I pray that he will look back on our times together with fond memories and much love. Gone are the days that we would head to the library, curl up on the corner couch and read together all day. We still frequent the library, he just heads for political books and I am often searching for our next unit study topic. I am thankful that he still enjoys being with me and I think that is a great testament of the time that I have invested in his life. Has this been an easy road? By NO MEANS!!! But I can say that it has been worth it all!

Congratulations William. I love you and I am proud of you and your many accomplishments.