Cooper and Me and the Winter Adventure Book Giveaway

Hi Milk N' Honey Friends! I have a giveaway over at my other blog The Knowlton Nest for this cute little winter book. Head on over there to enter today! Giveaway ends December 7.

Brightly Beaming Resources: Week #17 Sheep

This was a fun week even though we didn't actually get to see real sheep.  We did go to the fair earlier this year and saw the sheep and heard them "baa."  One our our favorite books was Farmer Brown Shears His Sheep by Teri Sloat.  It's a "yarn about wool."  Very cute!  Our nursery rhyme was "Baa, baa black sheep."  I can hear Shrade singing this around the house all day long!



The letter we learned this week was Q so we made a queen.  We use No Time for Flashcards for our Letter of the Week crafts.

Shrade put all the sequins on the crown.

Pretty soon I will be adding many more sensory activities to our lessons.  I just found this amazing resource called Everyday Sensory Alphabet Activities that I will be reviewing soon.

Books we read:




We also read the story of the Lost Sheep in the Bible- Luke 15:1-7.

Heavenly Homemakers Ebook PINK Friday Sale!!

25% off everything
Coupon Code: PINKFRIDAY
Sale ends Monday, Nov. 28


Click here to visit Laura Coppinger @ Heavenly Homemakers

Check out this great curriculum:

Learn Your Letters Learn to Serve Complete Curriculum Kit 

for only $33.75 (regular $45)!

There are also many more great ebooks with learning ideas with cooking as well as character charts.

Truth in the Tinsel by Amanda White Ebook Review

Now that my son is three, I really wanted to do something this Christmas that would be hands-on and meaningful as I share the real reason for the season (Jesus!). I have been scouring the internet for the just the right project. I couldn't believe when I read Amanda's blog Impress Your Kids that she had written exactly what I was looking for in her new ebook- Truth in the Tinsel.

What makes this book unique? "This is an adventure for families to learn the story together. It’s an experience with the greatest story every written and the greatest gift ever given—God’s own Son, Jesus the Christ!"  There are 24 days of crafts that tell the Christmas story one symbol at a time.  These crafts can become ornaments for your tree and you can talk about them each time you see them.   What a great visual!  And, because the kids are involved, they will want to discuss the ornaments over and over again.  For each day there is a clue (picture word that is the craft), Scripture (listen for the clue word), the ornament, the talk and an extension activity.  The crafts are simple and the whole lesson could take about 30 minutes.

There are so many ways to make this fun and exciting.  In the back of the book are strips with each of the picture clues that can be used as paper chain to take apart each day.  There is a complete supply list (most things you have in your home).  Remember it's the process, not the product!  And each day has a photo of the ornament and detailed instructions how to make it.  There are templates for some of the crafts and ideas to create alternate schedules if you don't want to do every craft.

Very simple, yet concrete way to share the Christmas story for children age preschool to elementary.  Your kids will be talking about these ornaments for years to come!

You can get a copy for yourself or buy one for a daughter-in-law, friend, teacher or anyone who has kids!

 

Truth in the Tinsel

Get your ebook today!

*This product was provided to me free of charge for purpose of this review. This is my honest opinion of this book and no monetary compensation was received for my opinion.*

Black Friday Sale announcement!

For those of you who get my blog posts by email, 

be sure to check my blog on Friday as I will be sharing 

about a very special ebook for Advent Activities 

that is brand new and will be 

on SALE on BLACK FRIDAY only! 

I don't want you to miss this one. It's absolutely incredible. 

So check back here on Friday! Can't wait to share more!

Here's a sneak peak at the cover:

Holiday Hospitality Ebooks!

Have you ever been so overwhelmed with planning for all the holidays that you don't know where to start? Well, Laura at Heavenly Homemakers has developed these great ebooks that take all the hard work and put  the enjoyment back into your holiday planning.  These books are great for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years!

Take a look inside: Heavenly Homemakers Guide to Holiday Hospitality
This is an ebook full of organizational help and holiday time inspiration.  Including scheduling, menu plans, seasonal print out pages and lots and lots of recipes!  Mmm, I love recipes!  You will absolutely love the simple ideas in this book.

Take a look inside: Heavenly Homemaker's Guide to Holiday Hospitality (For Kids!)
This is a packet filled with holiday recipes, craft ideas, games and activities for kids of all ages.  Laura creates everything kid-friendly and fun!

EACH book is $6.95

OR

You can get the ebook package for just $12!

So check out Heavenly Homemakers for these and other great ebooks to get you through the holidays!
Many of these would make great gifts for friends and families!

Every Which Way to Pray by Joyce Meyer Book Review

Harley and Hayley Hippo live in Everyday Zoo and want to talk to God, but their Rules for Praying book seems too restrictive in Joyce Meyer's first children's book Every Which Way to Pray.  The hippos meet Pouch, the pelican, along with a cast of animals that suggest many ways to pray. "God doesn't care if your prayers are too LOUD!!" says Pouch.  And "it's got to come from your heart."

This book is simply delightful.  Kids are immediately drawn to the funny animal characters and the brilliant colored illustrations.  The ways to pray are presented in kid friendly language and the story flows naturally from one scene to the next.  I think this is the perfect children's book to teach about prayer.  It is funny and silly, but also shows reverence.  I was instantly drawn to this loveable story and hope there are many more adventures at Everyday Zoo!

*This product was provided to me free of charge for purpose of this review. This is my honest opinion of this book and no monetary compensation was received for my opinion.*

Press Release: 

Inspired by Meyer's adult book, The Power of Simple Prayer, EVERY WHICH WAY TO PRAY is set against the colorful backdrop of Everyday Zoo, home to a comical cast of animal characters who interact and explore life lessons together in their fun-filled community.  

Readers will be captivated by Mary Sullivan's vibrant illustrations and they'll relate to Hayley and Harley Hippo who want to pray, but believe that in order to be close to God, they must pray quietly in a church - with heads bowed, hands folded and dressed in their Sunday best.  

With the help of a quirky pelican named Pouch, the zoo's sheepish librarian, Miss Bimble, and Sarge, a bear police officer, the Hippo children and readers discover that prayer is simply talking to God as a friend.  And, it should be the easiest thing we do each day.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Joyce Meyer is one of the world's leading practical bible teachers and founder of Joyce Meyer Ministries. A #1 New York Times bestselling author and named one of the most influential evangelical leaders in America by Time Magazine, she has written more than 90 inspirational books, which have been translated into 84 languages. Meyer's Enjoying Everyday Life radio and television programs broadcast around the world and translate into 43 different languages. She travels, extensively, conducting conferences. Meyer and her husband have four children and ten grandchildren and make their home in St. Louis, Missouri. www.joycemeyer.org  

 

ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR: Mary Sullivan was born in St. Louis, Missouri, and raised all over central Texas. Sullivan studied at the University of Texas in Austin, earning a BFA in studio art. She has been drawing for as long as she can remember and is forever grateful to her parents for filling her childhood home with music, art, and poetry. Mary currently lives in Austin, Texas, and spends her days drawing and writing for children.

Zonderkidz™, a division of Zondervan, inspires young lives through imagination and innovation. As the leader in Christian children's communications, it produces bestselling and award-winning Bibles, books, board books, graphic novels, audio, video and digital products that awaken the hearts and touch the souls of kids under 16 and the people who love them, from family members to educators. Zonderkidz is the publisher of the NIrV (New International Reader's Version) Bible translation, the 3rd-grade reading level edition of the NIV that is ideal for children and those who speak English as a second language. Visit Zonderkidz on the Internet at www.zonderkidz.com.

Zondervan, a HarperCollins company headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan, is a world leader in Christian communications and the leading Christian publishing brand. For more than 75 years, Zondervan has delivered transformational Christian experiences through general and academic resources authored by influential leaders and emerging voices, and has been honored with more Christian Book Awards than any other publisher.

Music Notes: The Chickadees "The Froggy Hop" CD Review and Giveaway!!

Get ready for toe tappin', hand clappin', earth friendly fun with the Chickadees in their newest release "The Froggy Hop."  The quartet is led by Mary Karlzen and they aim their presentations to focus on "environmentally conscious fun."  This album concentrates on the science of animals and green living and every song is singable and so full of interesting facts that kids won't even know they are learning.  The songs have easy lyrics to catch on to and whimsical tunes that are natural to remember.  There is an instant connection  from the performer to the audience and both kids and adults will enjoy this fun and educational CD from the Chickadees.



From the moment I popped this in my CD player I was snagged by the tunes. I found myself humming along and I even hear my almost three year old son chanting "reduce, recyle and reuse" and "goldfinches." What I found really fascinating with this album "The Froggy Hop" was the amount of education packed into these delightful songs. Science has not been very appealing to me in general, but when I listen to "Hibernation" and "Nocturnal" (video above), I am hungry to learn more. These gals have hit the jackpot in presenting a very upbeat and enjoyable CD which teaches wonderful earth friendly concepts.

Be sure to check out their other videos, CD's and photos at The Chickadees.

*This product was provided to me free of charge for purpose of this review. This is my honest opinion of this CD and no monetary compensation was received for my opinion.*

Do you want to add this CD to your library or give to some special child at Christmas?

Win it:  I am having a giveaway for TWO signed copies of this CD.  Open to US/Canada and giveaway ends Sunday, November 27.  That is 2 winners!

To enter: Be sure to click on all the links before filling out the entry form.

1. Be a follower on my blog

2. Subscribe to my blog by email (link on blog)

3."Like" Milk N' Honey Learn and Grow on Facebook (link on my blog). 

4. Visit The Chickadees website and tell me something you liked/found interesting

5. Post about this giveaway on another site (your blog, facebook,twitter, etc) (1 entry for every site) 

Entry for The Chickadees "The Froggy Hop" CD

 PS.  If you interact on Facebook by liking, commenting and posting on my wall, you will also earn extra entries!  Just be sure your Facebook name matches your entry name.  Thanks!

Smart Sweets Ebook from Katie at Kitchen Stewardship on SALE!!

It's HERE!  The Smart Sweets Ebook by Katie at Kitchen Stewardship.  I'm just dying to make these yummy, yet healthy treats.  Click HERE to see the contents and see more pictures.

Check this out for the first week:

• Use the code DESSERTSLAUNCH for 50% off the first 100 copies.
• Use the code 2DAY35OFF for 35% off through midnight 11/18.
• The code for the free “Buttered Life” eBook will be in the email to your Paypal email that includes the Smart Sweets download.

There are cookies, bars and brownies, cakes and cupcakes, pies, candy, frozen desserts and MORE!  Can they really be healthy?  The recipes have easy directions and many variations.  

Be sure to snag the FREE download for Apple Crisp if you haven't already.

 Visit Kitchen Stewardship for more details!

Little Lamb's Bible and Little Lion's Bible Book Review

God shaped the earth, turned on the light,

and separated day from night.

Genesis 1-2

Little Lion's Bible and Little Lamb's Bible are perfect beginner Bibles. The soft covers feature a very cute animal that kids are instantly drawn to. My son was excited when I opened the box and he ran his hand across the lion. Inside are 10 simple stories from the Bible such as Creation, Noah's Ark, the Christmas story and the Resurrection. Every story is told in a rhyme with 8 lines and your child will instantly fall in love with these sweet little Bibles.

*This product was provided to me free of charge for purpose of this review. This is my honest opinion of this book and no monetary compensation was received for my opinion.*



From Zondervan:

Two books that small children will love to hold and cuddle with, the Little Lion's Bible and Little Lamb's Bible (Zonderkidz; February 2012; $15.99 each), arrive just in time for Easter. With textures kids love, the warm and fuzzy covers of both board books will spur a love of key Bible stories. They contain words children will understand and colorful artwork to spur their imaginations.   

Using a cuddly lion and a soft lamb, author P.J. Lyons and illustrator Melanie Mitchell present an inspiring collection of ten Bible stories for parents to read to their young children. Throughout these plush-covered books, children will learn that they are loved and cared for by God as they hear about God's faithfulness in stories from the Old and New Testaments, including Noah's ark, David and Goliath, and the birth of Jesus. With sweet rhyming text and colorful illustrations, these soft and cuddly character storybook Bibles are sure to become a favorite with preschoolers. The books, with different covers to appeal to all children, will be perfect for Easter baskets, or any gift-giving occasion.

Don't miss this wonderful opportunity to share these delightful new additions to the Zonderkidz library that parents will love and children will cherish as they learn about God's love for them.

What's on our Bookshelf? My Four Book (My first steps to math)

This month I've been really concentrating on math concepts.  I picked this book up at the library- My four Book - My First Steps to Math and I was really impressed at the simplicity, yet the complexity of teaching math in repeatedly different ways to master one concept.  This book was very interactive and draws the reader to count along with the story.  There is addition, subtraction, and ordinal numbers (first, second, third, fourth).  There is even a little practice page at the end of the story.  And this story centralized around a little boy's visit to the zoo.  It was all very fun and presented some great first steps to math.  I'm excited to explore more of these books.  At my library they have 10.  Happy reading and learning!

Brightly Beaming Resources Week #16: Butterflies

This week we learned all about butterflies!  We discussed the life cycle (egg, caterpillar, chrysalis and butterfly) with hand motions.  We pretended to be butterflies using scarves for our wings.  On Friday we made a butterfly from tissue paper and pipe cleaners.  We also counted to 16 and did our art project learning letter P with 16 pennies.  And we recited "Mary, Mary quite contrary."   It was a great week.  Can't wait to see caterpillars and butterflies next year!

This week we learned letter P and the number 16 so we glued 16 pennies on the P.  I use No Time for Flashcards for our letter of the week projects.

We also played around with a fun learning kit from Lightning Bug Literacy.

Here are the books we read:

This summer we got to see a beautiful caterpillar in Minnesota!

Learning Activity: 1-1 Correspondence with snacks!

I love spontaneous learning time.  The other day when I gave my son crackers and cheese I decided to have him place a piece of cheese on each cracker.  This is called 1-1 correspondence.  I wouldn't know that if I wasn't a teacher of Kindergarten for 12 years.  I also know that many of my students could never master that, so I'm starting things early with my spongey son!  He doesn't even know that he is learning.  Of course, then he can munch all he wants afterwards.

What are some fun ways you teach early learning math skills?