Ellie Claire Art Journal Review

I was given the opportunity to review 3 Ellie Claire Art Journals. Illuminate your story, Faith & lettering and The Illustrated Word. These journals are so beautiful!

Me and my teenage daughter have enjoyed looking through these and writing in them. We used a marker and did notice a little bleed through on some pages. They do not come with any pens so just be a little careful of the pressure and I think it will be fine. My daughter is interested in calligraphy and she love's the art work in these journals. These journals try to show you how to draw and do pretty lettering. There is part you trace and then space to free hand draw it on your own. I love art but honestly am not that good at it. I want to share with you some images from inside the journals please don't judge the journals harshly because of my not so good skills lol. I am trying and everything takes practice.

There are also quotes in the journals and scripture verses.

Here is one of my favorites since I deal with anxiety.











Here are a few more beautiful pages from inside these journals.

If you are like me and lose things easily 2 of the journals have a useful pen loop to hold your pen right there with your journal. The Illuminate your story journal as has a neat keepsake envelope in the back inside cover. I am in awe of these journals they are different from any journal I have ever had. These journals would be such a nice gift for anyone on your Christmas list or even for yourself. Here are a few links where you can purchase these lovely journals.
FAITH & LETTERING
Amazon: http://bit.ly/WhittenAmazon
Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/FaithAndLettering-BN

THE ILLUSTRATED WORD
Amazon: http://bit.ly/Illustrated-Amazon
Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/Illustrated-BN

ILLUMINATE YOUR STORY
Amazon: http://bit.ly/Illuminate-Amazon
Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/Illuminate-BN





I was sent these journals in exchange for my honest opinion. All photos are my own taken by me and my daughter. Thank you for reading. Have a blessed day!

Elementary Math Worksheets Review

I was able to review Elementary Math Worksheets with my 7 year old son. My son doesn't really like to sit still very long so these worksheets worked fine for him. He is fairly good at math so he didn't have a lot of headbanging while answering most of the questions. There were a few that he needed a little help with. These worksheets didn't require much prep just print and give to him. I would recommend these worksheets to any one that wants to build on their child's math skills.
Thank you to Educents for giving me the opportunity to review these math worksheets with my son.

1 week Review of Time4Learning

So it's been about a week since my kids have started using Time4Learning. First I will say the site has helped me as a new homeschooling parent. Some things on the site still kind of confuse me, but it might be I just haven't learned the ropes of it yet. I like that it has pretty much whatever you need subject wise. I was having a hard time finding a World Geography course for my 9th grader and Time4Learning has one. On that note she doesn't care for it. She feels it is babyish her words. She also says it's very easy which she isn't complaining about, but has me wondering if this is the right curriculum for her. She is very smart and I want her to be engaged in learning at the same time I want her to be learning. She hasn't felt like she has learned anything. She said most of the stuff that she has done she already knew from elementary school. I mean I don't want to have to sit for hours on something that is extremely difficult, she needs a challenge. She says she is fine sticking with this program if I can't find anything else. I am not sure if it is worth it just for her need of the one subject. While most subjects are available on Time4Learning we are using a free site for her other subjects and happy with them.

Now my 1st grader likes the site. It is mostly easy for him to navigate around and he enjoys the cartoons and games. He is also very bright and gets through the quizzes with easy so far. I thought about placing him in the 2nd grade on the site just to see how well he would do. The site makes it easy to change grade levels so that is a plus.

My view for now is still undecided. There are pros like the ease of checking the child's work progress. I also enjoy that both children can use the site on their own without much help from me since I have a 2 year old to keep busy. While I have heard others say the price is reasonable ($19.95 per month for K-8 and $30 per month for 4 course of High School) my family finds that hard to budget right now. Well we have a whole month to try it out so I will update as we go along.

Have a great day,



We have received a free month of service for each child from Time4Learning in exchange for an honest review.

Review Time4Learning

Over the next 30 days, I will be reviewing Time4Learning. They offer an elementary school curriculum, middle school curriculum, high school curriculum, and tools like the Getting Started Homeschooling Guide. Be sure to come back and read about my experience!

I am now Homeschooling but am I doing it right?

So I took that leap of faith and I am now homeschooling! My 9th grader is happy and loves it, my 1st grader is well bored in his words. Looks like I'm going to have to figure out ways to keep him entertained. Guess we will be trying out some of those pins from pinterest. I'm sure he misses being around all the other kids that were in his class. I'm still very nervous about my decision. I mean he is doing great on papers and everything I have had him to work on, but what about when it's time to learn something new? I have been reading every homeschooling website I can find and saving them to go back to and read again! If you homeschool I would love to hear any tips or advice you might have for a newbie!

Homeschooling?

I am thinking about taking a leap of faith and homeschool my 1st grader and 9th grader. If everything works out like I hope we will begin after Christmas. I have different fears with each child. Like will my 1st grader actually do what I need him to do or will it turn into a battle. I have had a couple of issues with him to get him to do his homework from school. Or will I really be able to teach my 9th grader algebra, chemistry and a foreign language all of which I have little or no knowledge of. My biggest fear is messing her up and her not graduate on time. Both of my children are A students so I know they can do it but can I? I am a stay at home mom and to be honest it is kind of a nice break when they are off at public school. I have a 2 year old as well so I still get some excitement during the day! I want to try this new adventure in hopes of gaining a better connection with my children and also for the freedom homeschooling can provide. How many times have many of us been in the situation where we needed/wanted to go out of town but couldn't because the kids couldn't miss school. With homeschooling we could go out of town and turn it into a learning field trip! What about the days where your child might wake up not feeling so good, but then a few hours later they are feeling better and bouncing off the wall. Yes you could take them into school late, but they would get a tardy. The school here gives out a tardy even if you check them out 5 minutes early for a doctor's appointment. After so many tardies they get Saturday school. I don't know about you but I don't want to wake up at 6 am on Saturday and deal with getting them to school! If we home schooled there wouldn't be a problem to push back schooling a few hours or find something to do like read a book or watch a dvd about space or anything educational your child is interested in. I know what some people are thinking what about socialization? Well I've thought of that too and while yes they are at school 5 days a week with over 600 other children they are not getting real socialization there. Not where my kids go anyways. I can only speak of experiences my kids have had. My daughter is in 9th grade she hasn't made what she would call a true friend at all. There isn't alot of free time to socialize I know they're there to learn, but that answers the socialize part in itself. My 1st grader has been punished for such things as not sitting with his legs crossed the right way, running on the playground, and talking during centers. To explain centers is when a group of kids go to explore toys. They have play-doh, puzzles, blocks and other so called learning aides. I have no problem with that, but they are not allowed to talk or make a noise at all! My son got in trouble for this in kindergarten and I thought it was just the teacher, but no it's a rule. To have a group of 5 and 6 years at a table full of what they see as toys and not allow them to make a peep, it just boggles my mind! So I don't see how they can learn to be social if they can't communicate. I have been reading blogs and researching about homeschooling for the past few months and while I still have questions and fears I still want to try. If it doesn't work for us they can always go back to public school. Do you homeschool or know someone who does? What are your opinions of it? I would love to hear any feedback, tips or questions you might have.

Have a great day,

Free Kindle Ebooks

I have found several free kindle ebooks. I have over 100 that I have got all free! Please understand that Amazon changes prices whenever they feel like so even though they are free when I post they may not be free when you click on the link. Here is a list of ones I found free today. Also remember you DO NOT have to own a kindle. You can download kindle for PC on Amazons website.


Walking to Lose Weight [A 12 Week Walking Workout Plan]

Wake Up! You're Probably Never Going to Look Like That: How to be Happier, Healthier and Imperfectly Fit

Piece of Cake Paleo - Effortless Paleo Breakfast Recipes

The Paleo Kid: 26 Easy Recipes That Will Transform Your Family

The Stress Free You: How to Live Stress Free and Feel Great Everyday, Starting Today


This is just a tiny amount of free ebooks available. If you're interested in more leave a comment and I will post some more. Hope you can find the time to read cause there are lots of different books daily! From kid books to diet books and everything in between all FREE! What type of books do you enjoy reading?