Asia: Its People and History Review & Giveaway

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My girls love to learn about other cultures and geography, so they were very excited to go through the new book Asia:Its People and History! This is the first book in a series from Bonnie Rose Hudson. It covers 6 countries and is intended to give your child a brief introduction to the people in Asia and to spark your curiosity.

This 70 page ebook will soon be available in softcover. It is divided into six sections to cover 16 weeks of study. The chapters cover Laos, Bangladesh, Nepal, China, Iran, and Vietnam. Each chapter contains stories so that your children can get a glimpse at different happenings in Asia. Discussion questions about the story gives you a chance to discuss issues with your children. The history section for each country gives us information about what it is like to be a Christian there. There are a few activities included with each chapter and free Bonus Content and Printable Downloads located on Bonnie Rose's blog.

I used this ebook with all three of my girls ages 9, 11, & 12. We used this more for fun than an actual study about Asia. We read the sections at night during our read aloud time to involve everyone. We really enjoyed the stories & the history sections were very informative and we all learned some new things. We do believe that you need to be baptized in order to be a Christian. This book just states that you need to pray to have God in your heart. This didn't deter us from using the book, we just looked up scripture reference to support what we believe. It opened up the conversation about what others believe even in the United States.  

Bonnie Rose Hudson lives in central Pennsylvania. Along with spending time with her family and writing, making kids smile is her favorite thing to do. Her heart’s desire is for every child to feel the love of God and know how special they are to Him. She loves creating curriculum as a member of The Old Schoolhouse Magazine’s Star Contributors Team. She works with both SchoolhouseTeachers.com and The Old Schoolhouse Magazine® as an editorial assistant. At TOS, she found a place where her love of God and history combine with her love of writing to bring encouraging, educational, and entertaining material to students and their families.

She would love for you to stop by and meet the star of her children’s series at Exploring with Jake, look through the 10/40 window of the world and join others in prayer at Looking Out the 10/40 Window, or stop by her author’s blog WriteBonnieRose.com for fun printables and discover how you can write for the homeschool market.

~~GIVEAWAY & PROMO CODE~~

I have some exciting news for you. If you are interested in purchasing Asia: Its People and History I have a promotional code for 25% off from the Schoolhouse Store & I have a PDF copy to giveaway.

~ To take advantage of the 25% off use promotional code 02asia14 now through 3/15/14 at the Schoolhouse Store.
~ To enter to win one of 2 PDF files, just enter the Rafflecopter below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclaimer: I received a copy of Asia: Its People and History free of charge in order to write my review. No other compensation was received and all opinions are my own. 

Progressive Dinner

Today my daughter is writing a post about the progressive dinner that we had for the youth in our church.

We had a progressive dinner with all the church kids and then we played games afterwords. everybody had lots of fun. We had four courses which were soup, appetizers, dinner, and dessert. For the games we played the flour game, telephone, balloon stomp, another balloon game, pencil M&M game, a drawing game, and the animal game.

Here we played the flour game. To play the flour game we packed some flour into a cup and then placed the mound of flour on a plate (kinda like a sand castle). On top of the flour pile we would place an M&M. Then one person would cut some of the flour away from the pile with a butter knife, everybody would take turns doing this until someone made the M&M fall. The person who made the M&M fall would then have to get the M&M out with their mouth. We split up into groups of four to play this game. Above: the girl in the pink was the one who made the M&M fall, but we all wanted to put flour on our face. Below: she wasn't even the one who had to get the m&m but she wanted to put her face in flour too but she went a little over board.    

For the drawing game we put a paper plate on our head and then we had to draw what my mom told us to draw, which was a snowman and tree. Then we would compare drawings. My drawing looked like a snowman was attacking a tree.

The balloon stomp game we would tie a balloon to each of our ankles and then someone would say go and everybody would try and stomp on someones balloons. If both of your balloons got stomped you're out, if you lose a balloon you can tie it back on but people can still stomp your balloons while your tying it on. The last person with balloons wins.

During the other balloon game we had a bunch of balloons blown up with papers inside them. It was a relay race we did boys against girls. On go the first person in line would run up to the bag of balloons and pop one, then they would grab the paper that was inside and do what it said such as do 10 jumping jacks, the next person couldn't go until the first person got back to the line. 

For our first course we had soup the lady brought three types chicken noodle soup, potato soup, and pea soup, and she also brought some add-ins.

We had appetizers, but we forgot to take a picture at that house. We were served cheese & fruit tray, BBQ little smokies, and chocolate covered pretzels.

For our main course we had lasagna, corn, spaghetti & garlic bread.

For dessert we had ice cream cake from dairy queen. The dessert was my favorite part.

Valentine & Anniversary Present

I love a good latte. We had a Krups espresso machine that lasted for several years & it was a good little machine. It started acting up a few months ago & then it finally quit all together. Mike & I decided we would purchase a new espresso machine for our 24th Anniversary & Valentine's Day gift to each other. I started my research online to find the best machine for our budget. 

I decided on the Gaggia New Baby from Whole Latte Love & we are very pleased with our purchase. We have only had our machine for about a month, but so far it has exceeded my expectations. I can make my husband and I a latte and steam enough milk for all three of my girls to have hot chocolate without waiting like with my old machine. 

I did a lot of research before making my purchase and Whole Latte Love was a great help. They have multiple videos available that answered so many of my questions. I even called customer service and they were very helpful. I received the free shipping because I spent over $50 & it was very fast. I had my new machine within one week. 

If I need anything else I will order it from Whole Latte Love. 

Dial Vitamin Boost Body Wash Review & Giveaway

During these cold winter months I have to be careful what kind of soap or body wash I use. My skin is very dry and gets really itchy during the cold months. The last several weeks we have all been using the new Dial Body Wash & it leaves my skin feeling very moisturized throughout the day. I like the new body wash because it helps maintain soft skin and has lotion infused, but my 9 year old daughter loves it for the scent. As soon as she saw the label on the package she couldn't wait to see what was inside. She had the box open immediately to see what scent we received. She loves the smell & I am happy that it is a mild scent.

The new Dial Vitamin Boost Body Wash Lotion Infused is an advanced formula that helps draw vitamins and moisture to your skin. It contains vitamin B because it naturally helps draw in moisture to keep the skin hydrated. There is also a new Oil Infused Vitamin Body Wash with Super C available.

~~~GIVEAWAY~~~

I have 3 coupons valued at $3.00 each for Dial Body Wash. Two coupons are for the New Dial Vitamin Boost Body Wash and one is for the Power Scrub Body Wash for men. 3 of my readers within the United States will win a coupon by entering the Rafflecopter below.   

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclaimer: I received a sample of Dial Vitamin Boost Body Wash from the Dial brand in exchange for my review. No other compensation was received and all opinions are my own.  

Purex Crystals Review & Giveaway

Sometimes I feel like my laundry is never caught up. I can finish up all my laundry and get it all put away and then it seems like it's time for everyone to get ready for bed & that means more dirty clothes. There is one thing I enjoy about laundry & that would be how nice my laundry room smells. I have been using the new Fresh Mountain Breeze Purex Crystals in my wash and my laundry room smells wonderful. 

The new Purex Crystals are added directly to your washing machine and is safe for all washer types. This laundry enhancer is made from a natural formula and will leave your clothes smelling fresh. This laundry freshener can be found in the fabric softener aisle at Walmart.

~~~GIVEAWAY~~~

I have 3 coupons to giveaway for the new Purex Crystals. They are valued at $6.00 and anyone within the United States may enter the Rafflecopter for a chance to win. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclaimer: As a Purex Insider I received a sample of Purex Crystals Fresh Mountain Breeze from the Purex brand in exchange for my review. No other compensation was received and all opinions are my own. 

Happy 24th Anniversary

Time seems to go by so fast. I can't believe it is already our anniversary again, 24 years!! How can that be? Last year on our anniversary I blogged about how we met.



I would love to be able to say that our marriage has always been what it is today & I often wonder why we stressed or fought over things that didn't really matter at all. Maybe the trials have made our bond stronger because we made it through them. Sometimes I will tell Mike that I love him more today than ever before, but maybe it is just a different kind of love.

Unstoppable Review & Giveaway

Every time I hear about Kirk Cameron I still think of him as Mike Seaver from Growing Pains. Now that he is an adult he is still in front of the camera just with a different message. Unstoppable is Kirk's most recent movie and it sold 260,000 tickets on two week nights. Now that is impressive. There are people out there that want movies with a message, and not just for entertainment. 

You can win your own copy by leaving a comment on this post. 

Unstoppable was inspired by the death of Cameron's close friend who died of cancer at the age of 15. Kirk wants to help viewers better understand the question: "Where is God in the midst of tragedy and suffering?" Kirk goes all the way back to the beginning of time with Adam and Eve to investigate the origins of good and evil and how they impact our lives. 

This film is recommended for ages 12 and up because the story of Cain & Able is dramatized. I don't think this needed to be included. My kids know this story, but that is entirely different than watching it & I for one didn't want to see it. 

I was a little disappointed with this film. I think Kirk takes the long way around to try and answer his question. I also think he is off on some of his biblical doctrine. 

~~Giveaway~~

I have an extra copy of Unstoppable to giveaway to one of my readers in the US or Canada. To enter just leave a comment and tell me what movie with Kirk Cameron is your favorite. 

Giveaway is open until Monday, February 10, 2014. 

Official Website

Unstoppable on Facebook

Unstoppable on Twitter

ABOUT UNSTOPPABLE

Inspired by the death of Cameron’s close friend who succumbed to cancer at the age of 15, Kirk Cameron takes viewers on an inspiring and hope-filled visual journey to better understand the biggest doubt-raising question in faith: “Where is God in the midst of tragedy and suffering?”

Going back to the beginning—literally—Kirk investigates the origins of good and evil and how they impact our lives … and our eternities. UNSTOPPABLE will prompt audiences to consider the role that pain and suffering has in our lives, as they affirm their personal views on faith, and encourage conversation starters about God, suffering, and hope. 

In theaters for only two weeknights (Sept 24th and Oct 3th, 2013), UNSTOPPABLE: A Live Event with Kirk Cameron sold a staggering 260,000 tickets and reached a theatrical gross of over $3.2 million dollars. In just two nights this independent project sent a loud message – audiences want thought-provoking and meaningful entertainment.   

Kirk Cameron is best known for his memorable role as “Mike Seaver,” a cultural icon of the 80's, with his mullet hairstyle, cool glasses, and wisecracking comebacks. More recently he enjoyed much success with the No. 1 grossing inspirational film of 2008, Fireproof, and his recent documentary, Monumental. Kirk and his wife, Chelsea, were on-screen sweethearts during their Growing Pains years and are the founders of Camp Firefly, where terminally and seriously ill children and their families are provided an all-expense paid retreat (www.CampFirefly.com). Together, Kirk and Chelsea live in California with their six children.

About Provident Films: 

Provident Films, a division of Sony Music Entertainment, produces, markets, and distributes faith-based films. The company is part of Nashville-based Provident Music Group, which has been one of the world’s leading Christian entertainment companies for more than three decades.  Films from the company have included Courageous, October Baby, Fireproof, and Facing the Giants. More info is available at ProvidentFilms.org.

~~Giveaway~~

I have an extra copy of Unstoppable to giveaway to one of my readers in the US or Canada. To enter just leave a comment and tell me what movie with Kirk Cameron is your favorite. 

Giveaway is open until Monday, February 10, 2014. 

"Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

 Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.

Kids Cooking

My kids love to plan menus & they eagerly volunteer to make dinner if they know I'm going to make something they don't like. Amber is my very picky eater and she would make tacos or burritos every day if everyone would let her. 

They planned a dinner this week & they went above what they normally do. They all three made a menu from a different country and then they decided together which one they wanted to make. They chose France, and I wasn't allowed in the kitchen until they were ready to deep fry their cheese. 

They decorated the table.

They made a flag place mat and used our Eiffel Tower & flowers for the centerpiece. 

They made each one of us a name place card with a fun fact about France inside. 

The front of the menu was written in French and English.

The back of the menu was a picture of the Eiffel Tower & the dessert.

Deep Fried Brie with cranberry sauce was the appetizer. 

Chicken Cordon Bleu was the main course. When the chicken was almost done they told me they forgot about any side dishes to go with their chicken, so they heated up rice that was left from the night before.

 

 Next they brought out this fancy decoration. 

 Inside was our dessert.

Macaroons with either strawberry sauce or dark chocolate in the center. 

Everything was very delicious and the girls did a very good job on their dinner and their presentation. They had so much fun, they decided they are going to plan a meal from a different country once a month.

They didn't leave the clean up as a surprise!! After dinner we all pitched in and cleaned their mess up pretty quickly.