The Winner of the $20 Dayspring Coupon Code

The winner of the $20 coupon code to Dayspring is commenter #13, Jaclyn Hicks . I don't think I have your e-mail address, so if you could send me your contact information (address and phone number) at aprongirl at gmail.com, that would be great! Congratulations!

Christian Kids Explore Biology Review

Before I had an official homeschooling child, I happened upon Bright Ideas Press. I love how adaptive their curriculum is for teaching multi-aged children all at once.



I love Bright Ideas Press' motto,

"Bright Ideas Press publishes curriculum that moms love. We promise to publish Christian-oriented curriculum that will fit into your hectic life, curriculum that is both affordable and easy-to-use with children of different ages at the same time. The team at Bright Ideas Press prays that our products and resources will not only simplify your life but also inspire, encourage, and enable you to effectively educate your children."

We love using the Mystery of History for our history studies. I was so delighted to learn about the Christian Kids Explore science series and to have the opportunity to review the Christian Kids Explore Biology curricula.

One of my great hopes, as a homeschooling mother of four (a third-grader, first-grader, preschooler, and a toddler) is for my children to learn together. Bright Ideas Press makes my hope feasible.

Much like the Mystery of History series, which will consist of four books (once complete), the Christian Kids Explore series consists of four books. Once you go through each of through each of the four books (at a rate of one per year) , you can cycle back through again. This year, as we are studying Creation-Christ, in history, our science studies consist of learning biology.

What I love about  Christian Kids Explore Biology curricula:


Multi-Age Adaptable
I love that I don't have to buy separate science curricula/materials for each child; we can share one fantastic resource! Learning together is such a joy!

Simple Lessons
Each lesson consists of only a couple of pages. The lessons are meaty enough to capture my children's attentions, yet they aren't cumbersome. When time allows, we make a weekly visit to the library to learn more about the subject we are studying. I love the amazing resource guide in the back of the book, which contains video, book, and game suggestions to supplement your learning.

Gorgeous Coloring Pages
I usually read each lesson aloud, while my little ones color the detailed and gorgeous coloring sheets included in this book. It is a great way to keep little hands busy so their minds can focus on the lesson. 

Fun Experiments/Projects
So far, in our first couple of weeks using this curricula, we have made a cell out of jello and beans, are creating animal alphabet pages, and food web charts. These projects have been a blast!

Creation-Based Lesson Plans
Each lesson draws my children into more awe of their Creator. This curricula is such a blessing to me and my family!


Disclosure: I received a copy of Christian Kids Explore Biology in exchange for an honest review.

Truth

"The best things in life are gifts from the One who steadfastly loves us. But an important question to ask ourselves is this: are we in love with God or just His stuff?"    -Francis Chan, author of Crazy Love

The Winner of the Pure Bar Giveaway

Congratulations, Jessi, entrant #4! You are the winner of the Pure Bar giveaway.I will sending you an e-mail with more information. Thank you again, Veronica, for hosting this giveaway!

Giving Thanks: Dayspring Review and Giveaway!

When I think of all of my blessings, I am in awe of my Creator. Yet, everyday, it is so easy for me to take these blessings for granted. I shudder at the fact that even though He has been so lavish with gifts to me, I have to remember to be thankful! In Deuteronomy 6:9, God's people were commanded to write His Word on the posts of their homes. Filling our homes with reminders of Him remind us to keep a Godward focus and to remember to be grateful for His manifold blessings.

One of my favorite makers of Christ-centered home decor products is Dayspring. I was so blessed to be able to receive Dayspring's Wooden Caddy for review purposes.

I love how sturdy, rugged, yet elegant this utensil caddy is. It really is a versatile piece and I am enjoying finding other uses for it like this....

Art Caddy: I can already tell that we will find a lot of uses for this in our homeschooling/crafting times. I am a minimalist (or at least an aspiring minimalist), so I love it when an item is useful for a variety of purposes.This would be great for holding other art tools like knitting needles, crochet hooks, etc.

My favorite part of the Dayspring's Wooden Caddy, is the inscribed message, "Give thanks to the Lord for His unfailing love. Psalm 107:8" What a beautiful tangible reminder to stop, and offer praise and thanks to God!

This lovely piece would make a wonderful Christmas gift, as well.

Dayspring is graciously giving away a coupon code for $20 off their products to one Lily of the Valley reader.

To Enter:
Visit Dayspring, come back here and let me know what product you would love to have.

Additional optional entries:

Additional Optional Entries:
1. Like Lily of the Valley on Facebook.
2. Like  Dayspring on Facebook and leave a comment on their wall telling them that Lily of the Valley sent you.
3. Follow Dayspring on twitter.
4. Follow Lily of the Valley on Google Friend Connect.
5. Blog, facebook, or re-tweet about this giveaway.


Giveway ends November 17, 2011 at 12 pm EST. This is open to US residents only.


Disclosure: I received a free product to review in exchange for an honest review.

Pure Bars: Review and Giveaway!

Veronica Bosgraaf  first created PureBars when her daughter turned six. She wanted to make a nutrient-dense, vegetarian snack, without all of the additives and preservatives. I was delighted when PureBars sent me two of each of their yummy bars to sample! They come in eight yummy flavors: Chocolate Almond, Chocolate Brownie, Wild Blueberry, Superfruit Nutty, Peanut Raisin, Cranberry Orange, Apple Cinnamon, and Cherry Cashew Bar.

I have to say, hands down, my absolute favorite was the Chocolate Almond Bar. The day I sampled it, I definitely felt like I could use an afternoon pick me up. I cracked up when I read the front of the package, "Rich dark cocoa with heart healthy crunchy almonds.Your chocolate prayers have been answered". Indeed, any snack this yummy and healthy is definitely an answer to prayer. Now, I was preparing for this to taste like "one of those other" health bars. You know, the kind that taste funky, but you know it is good for you? Well, this bar was a complete and utter surprise to me. Not only was it chocked full of healthy goodies like rich in Omega 3's chia seeds, dates, almonds, and organic rice protein, but it tasted amazing! Just as good as a snickers, without the guilt. That is a win-win in my book!

I also loved the Apple Cinnamon Bar. It tasted like good old fashioned apple pie, without all of the crumbs. The Apple Cinnamon Bar is delectable and completely organic.

Purebar is graciously giving away two of each of their bars to one reader of this blog.

To Enter:
Leave a comment letting me know which Purebar flavor you are most interested in trying.

Additional Optional Entries:
1. Like Lily of the Valley on Facebook.
2. Like PureBar on Facebook and leave a comment on their wall telling them that Lily of the Valley sent you.
3. Follow Pure Bar on twitter.
4. Follow Lily of the Valley on Google Friend Connect.
5. Blog, facebook, or re-tweet about this giveaway.

Giveaway ends November 15, 12pm EST,when I will select one winner via Random.org. Open to US residents only.



Disclosure: I received Pure Bars in exchange for an honest review. Pure Bar also supplied the samples for the giveaway.

One Essential for Every Mommy's Medicine Cabinet

My dear Hubby spent most of yesterday getting sick to his stomach.  Then, in the wee hours of the morning, my eldest daughter, Lily, started throwing up. My mom reminded me of an old remedy for stomach ailments that my Grandmother always swore by, activated charcoal. I have been researching quite a bit about it, and find it to be just fascinating. After experiencing a horrible bout of food poisoning this past January, I should have made getting activated charcoal a priority! Nausea, tummy aches, food poisoning, heartburn and even vomiting can be stopped in a matter of minutes by taking some activated charcoal. It works by soaking up toxins in the body, allowing you to painlessly expel them. Needless to say, this mommy isn't going to be without this amazing product again. We ordered some activated charcoal today and I hope to review it soon! It is so important to be prepared especially as winter approaches (as well as the flu, stomach bugs, etc.) I also am researching if this can be taken during pregnancy to help cope with morning sickness. I am not currently expecting, but would love to have something natural that would help me to better cope, should the Lord bless us again. During all four of my pregnancies, I have had severe nausea and vomiting spells. I am so hopeful about this product!



Have you tried activated charcoal? I would love to hear your experience.

This post is linked to the Homestead Barn Hop.


Disclaimer: Links within this post contain my affiliate links to the Bulk Herb Store.

The Winners are...

The Winner of the Manna Organics Bread Giveaway is # 6, Courtney.
The Winner of the Cascadian Farms Giveaway is #17, Mom .
Congratulations! There are some more fun giveaways coming up!