Review: Bible Learning Cards

Words 2 Remember 4 Kids has created a great product called Bible Learning Cards.

These cards are flashcards to help your child learn scripture. They have an engaging picture on the front. The top portion is color coded for the different topics: Grow, Play, Learn, and Love. Next to the topic is the scripture for that card. On the reverse there is a cropped version of the front picture with the scripture above and discussion starters on the bottom.

When I first opened Bible Learning Cards Little Miss was not around. So I scanned through them and honestly thought this might be too hard for her.

I then showed her that I had something for her. She was very intrigued. I told her that these cards will help her learn parts of the bible and things about Jesus. Her eyes got huge. She loves Jesus, and I love that about her.

Before I showed them to her I did pick out a few that I thought would be best for her. They were shorter and they were based on things we are dealing with right now.

Psalm 56:3 is one of them. "When I am afraid I put my trust in you."

I showed her the card and read it to her. I had her repeat it to me. We did this a 3-5 times. Then I showed her another. The first time we looked at them we looked at 2 cards and read them a few times. She knew them for that day, but would they stick?

Honestly, I was expecting to have to go over them several days before she knew them. The next day I showed her the card, and asked, "Do you remember what this card means? It is Psalm 56:3." "When I am scared I will trust you." "Great job! You are so close the exact words are, "When I am afraid I put my trust in you." What about this one. It is Psalm 28:7.  "The Lord is my strength and my shield." "Perfect! You should show Daddy what you have been doing."

A few days later she asks to play with the cards. I am leaving at the time but I hear her say, "Daddy I learned this. "The Lord is my strength and my shield." Then asks, "Can you tell me what this one is?"
When I got home later she says, "Mommy the monkey one is, "Do everything without grumbling or arguing."

So the cards work. She is 5. I have not sat down with either of them and said, "Let's learn this." They want to play with them. They want to know what the pictures mean. My three year old knows as many of the cards that my 5 year old does.  (Which is in 2 weeks of using them is 3 of the 20 solidly, and 4 or 5 others giving her the first word or two.)

I have never been one to memorize scripture and I am learning it right along with them.

Check out this short video for some more information.

 

As you saw these cards come for kids 1 to 13, in 3 different sets. Each set is $14.99 and honestly, worth every penny.

You can get your sets at http://www.words2remember4kids.com/home.html

As part of Christian Women Affiliates I was given the preschool set to review. The opinions are 100% our own.

Tell Me About It Tuesday: Sue Hooley's 2015 Daily Planner

I was blessed with the opportunity to review Sue Hooley's 2014 and 2015 Daily Planner.

Here is a peek inside the 2015 planner.

As you can see it has TONS of room to plan out everything you have going on in your hectic, chaotic, bustling life.  You can write out the menu for the whole week right there on the weekly view and keep track of everything you want to get done using the task list.  

Here are some great little features.  On the monthly view there is a dotted line you can cut away to make month tabs.  Here on the weekly view you can cut or fold the corner to mark what week you are on.  

The 2015 planner also has other tabs behind the weekly view for Tasks, Projects, Info and Shopping. 

Tasks:  Two columns perfect for all those To-Do lists with a line across the top for a title.  I have a page for blog post ideas.  There are enough pages to dedicated one page per month for that month's goals and to do lists and still have other pages for other task lists.  In the 2015 planner these columns extend the full width of the page!

Projects:  This is much like the Tasks section but it has 2 sections, top and bottom, instead of columns.  In 2015 these are not boxes, they are just sections.  Great for project notes, notes from small groups you may be part of, recipes, or notes from a church service.  

Info: Name, Number and Address.  Great for keeping track of all those blogging contacts, babysitters and play-date mom's.  

Shopping:  Perforated three column shopping list.  Tear and go.

Folder pocket in the back to keep all receipts or note cards.  

I could easily keep track of what I was posting on the blogs, what we had going on at the gym and church, what we were doing during school time, what we were eating, and what I was reading in the bible.  Here take a look.

As you can see this is a picture from the 2014 planner.  The color scheme, cover and fonts are different in 2015.  It is a nice earth tone!  The fonts are bolder and easier to read.  The day and date are moved to the left instead of centered.  

Ascetically the 2015 planner is different, but the foundation of the 2014 and 2015 calendar are the same.

What I liked about the planner: 

- For those with lives that don't fit into perfect little time slots this is great that the day portions are just open.  It's perfect for the less Type A person.

- Encouraging scripture on each week.

- Room for our menu each week (when I take the time to plan it.)

I will still be able to do all of these things in 2015.  While learning 52 promises from God!  Thank you Sue!

To get yours head on over to Homemakers Friend.  It is 13.99 with 3.50 shipping and handling.  

Home Making Monday: Pre Planning for Busy Seasons

I don't know if it is a blessing or a curse, but we are about to enter our busy season.  September starts the celebration season of our family.  To help things go smoothly I start planning now! Yep, July.

Things I start planning:

• Budget and Savings
• New things to add to our festivities
• Projects I need to get done by Christmas 
• Birthday Parties
• Trips to visit relatives
• Mark the Calendars for all the events

Why do I start planning so early?  So I don't forget things - like the kids letters from Santa (yep totally forgot to do them last year).  

I have been doing these for the kids since they were born.  I haven't been doing baby books, but I have been doing these letters.  And who knows it might turn into a scrapbook down the road.  It helps keep all those important things remembered.  You know first words, when the first potty was.  The first naughty word that was said -- July 10, 2014 by big one.  And the funny story that goes with it.  So those need to get started.  I will even write last years and put it with their others.  These letters come from Santa and although last year's won't have a post marked envelope it's okay.

So here is my list of planning needs:

• Family Vacation (long weekend on Labor Day)
• Dad's Birthday
• Mark Calendar for Brother-In-Law's birthday (find out if I am making the cake)
• Anniversary Date
• Day out with Thomas the Tank?
• 40th Birthday for Hubby
• Halloween
• Sister-In-Law's Birthday
• Pumpkin Farm Plans (Georgetown, Milford and Little Miss wants to go to Grandma and Grandpa's!)
• Sister's Birthday
• Little Mr's Birthday 
• Thanksgiving
• North Pole Breakfast
• Advent Activities (including visiting Santa and the Christmas Concert at Church)
• Little Miss's Birthday
• Warner Family Christmas
• Brother's Birthday 
• Nephew's Birthday
• Father In Law's Birthday
• Christmas Eve - Movie and PJ's
• Christmas Day
• New Year's Eve

I am probably forgetting something but it's okay.  I know it is anxiety provoking, BUT I LOVE IT!. And this is why I start planning in July!  It is quite a list - and to think we put all of that into 4 months!  Oh and this is just the family stuff not to mention all the stuff I have to get done for work.  

Good thing I get to review this thing of beauty.  That's your tease.  You have to be here October 28 to see if it is working, not working ... if I love it or if I hate it ... and where you can buy it.

I know I am not the only one out there who starts planning early.  Anyone want to share what you are up to this upcoming season?

Tell Me About It Tuesday: Banzai Build N Splash Review

Quite possibly the best purchase in quite some time.

Yes, this is a review of a product I purchased.  Here is what lead me to purchase this item.  One day I was filling our pool for the kids to play in and they were having so much more fun playing in the hose that I figured we should get them a sprinkler.

When we got this I had not even thought about reviewing it with you.  HOWEVER!, this was such a hit that I just had to share it with you.

could be user error

So just to be clear.  We bought this product.  We were not asked to buy it or review it.  These are the honest opinions of one mom and two overjoyed little kids.

If you want to get one and see happy little faces like these you can.  I would give you my affiliate link to get it at Amazon (where I got the first picture) but this is not worth $20!  So head on over to Target and pay $9.99 like we did.

Week 3: ShapelyGirl Fitness

Have you ever noticed that as soon as you make a decision to do something - it could be anything - obstacle after obstacle get in your way. 

If you have been following along you know that I have been working out with ShapelyGirl Fitness.  I have been using the Low Impact Cardio DVD.  This week - the biggest struggle, four of the five of us have gotten sick.

This week I mostly used the Pre-Mixes, quick workouts. 

1 - even being low impact cardio by the end of 15 minutes I am winded (chest congestion is not fun).
2 - I am needing to wipe noses every 5 minutes.

My goal was to work out after the kids go to bed on the days Hubs plays tennis.  Well the days have been so exhausting that doing much of anything come 8pm is just too much work. 

So, I will be posting my final review this weekend.  Come back for the weigh in!

Update: ShapelyGirl Fitness

This has been the hardest review I have done. 

This is what I have learned:

• I have commitment issues.  I have a hard time starting and finishing things.  That is not the newest thing to me.  I thought it was just that I really like new stuff - my issues had been with journals and things like that.  I am finding out that it is more than just that. 
  
• ShapelyGirl Fitness is motivating me to get moving more.  That can't be a bad thing. 
  
• It is reminding me that I feel better when I work out DAILY.  It makes me a better wife and mommy.
  
• I compare myself to others and when they are doing better than I am the first place my mind goes to not great places.  Now seeing that I am participating in the "Battlefield Mind" bible study, I am realizing that this is the enemy trying to work in my life.  I have to keep myself thinking right.  I need to remember, they are doing a different DVD, they are different women - they will have different results, they are sharing their results to encourage, not discourage. 
  
• My hair is getting super long, I can put it in a pony tail on the top of my head and it makes me feels like I am in the 80's. 

As for weight and measurements ... yep, you need to wait for the final review.  :)

Fitness Friday: ShapelyGirl Fitness

ShapelyGirl Fitness

For the month of October I am reviewing ShapelyGirl Fitness workout DVD. 

This is what I am committing to

- use the WHOLE DVD {Let's Get Moving - low impact cardio}3 times a week.  {How fitting that Hubs plays tennis 3 nights a week.}
- Update you once a week. {I will be updating you on Fridays}

So I figured I would start out by sharing some stuff with ya.

I have been overweight most of my life.  In college I got mono and was exercising ALL THE TIME!  I walked to class, I lived on the 2nd or 3rd floor of my building for 4 years.  I lost 75 pounds.  I went from a 225 to 150, a small 22 to a 10.  I graduated from college and moved back home.  I started to put the weight back on.  I moved to Ohio a year after I graduated and I had put on 15 pounds.  Well, after living here for 11 years I have put it all back on and then some.  When I got pregnant with Little Miss I weighed in at 252 pounds!  After having her I was down to 232.  I know what you lost weight being pregnant?  If you were that sick you would have lost that much weight too!  I started working out, eating more protein, and drinking more water.  I was down to 227 and then I got pregnant with Little Mister.  While I was pregnant I was obsessed with my weight, I didn't want to go over my "buffer zone" of 252.  I got close, but after having him I was up some, 247.  Chasing these two around for almost a year I have dropped 10 pounds.  So I am starting this review at 237 pounds. 

Most recent picture.  Just happened
to also be our 5th anniversary on the 15th.

I took it a step further.  I am also going to share with you the inches. 
Biceps - non flexed 14 3/4
Thigh - 26
Hips - 49
Waist - 47 1/2
Band-with - 40 3/4
Bust - 47 1/2
Size - large 18.  (That means most 20's are too big and most 18's are a little tight.)

Why ShapelyGirl Fitness?  It's geared to us "big" gals. Okay, what society considers big.  Debra Mazda started ShapelyGirl Fitness at 310 pounds and she now is a 12, 165 pounds.  For fashion standards she would be considered plus size.  ShapelyGirl Fitness just wants you to get up and get moving.  It will change your life.

Okay, so it is targeted to real women and that is a plus, not just plus-size.  The bigger reason for me - I won't have to rush around to get to the gym and get home so Hubs can get there on time.  Our evenings are just too rushed.  This will give me a much better option.  I will be healthier and happier for my husband and my kids. 

I read on Facebook "It takes 4 weeks of fitness to see a change in yourself, 4 more weeks for those close to you to see it, and 4 more weeks for others to see it."  These 4 weeks are for me.  It also takes 21 days to start a new habit, so by the end of the review hopefully working out will be a habit that I can stick with.  I think being able to do it at home will be the best part about it.  And being connected to the other 27 women I am working out with.