Real Mom's

A good friend sent this to me and I thought you that all of you moms out there would appreciate it!
Real Mothers don't eat quiche;
they don't have time to make it.

Real Mothers know that their kitchen utensils
are probably in the sandbox.

Real Mothers often have sticky floors,
filthy ovens and happy kids.

Real Mothers know that dried play dough
doesn't come out of carpets.

Real Mothers don't want to know what
the vacuum just sucked up.

Real Mothers sometimes ask 'Why me?'
and get their answer when a little
voice says, 'Because I love you best.'

Real Mothers know that a child's growth
is not measured by height or years or grade...

It is marked by the progression of Mommy to Mom to Mother.

The Images of Mother
4 YEARS OF AGE - My Mommy can do anything!
8 YEARS OF AGE - My Mom knows a lot! A whole lot!
12 YEARS OF AGE - My Mother doesn't really know quite everything.
14 YEARS OF AGE - Naturally, Mother doesn't know that, either.
16 YEARS OF AGE - Mother? She's hopelessly old-fashioned.
18 YEARS OF AGE - That old woman? She's way out of date!
25 YEARS OF AGE - Well, she might know a little bit about it!
35 YEARS OF AGE - Before we decide, let's get Mom's opinion.
45 YEARS OF AGE - Wonder what Mom would have thought about it?
65 YEARS O F AGE - Wish I could talk it over with Mom.

The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure=
that she carries, or the way she combs her hair.
The beauty of a woman must be seen in her eyes,
because that is the doorway to her heart,
the place where love resides.
The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mole,
but true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul.
It is the caring that she lovingly gives, the passion that she shows,
and the beauty of a woman with passing years only grows!

April

Rebate Offer
Pert Plus for Men Rebate

Printable Coupons
$3 off Green Works Laundry Detergent

$1 off Starkist Tuna Creations

$1 off Hebrew National Beef Franks

MathScore.com Review

I  was just reading in a homeschool help book that MathScore.com is a great site for students to practice math skills without all the 'cartoon distractions a lot of programs have'.  I totally agree!  Right from the start I was able to leave my son with the 'paperless worksheets' and know he was getting quality time on the computer.

MathScore.com is a program developed by MIT graduates to support grades 2nd through Algebra and

advanced 1st graders. Here's how it works: You or your child picks a math concept to work on.Each skill comes with a mini lesson and sample problems to view. When you choose to start the 'worksheet', it is timed to help evaluate how quickly your student is working through the problems and how much qualtiy time is spent answering them.  The answers are fill-in-the-blank only so you can be sure whether or not your student is proficient with that particular math skill and not just a 'lucky guesser'.

There are several great events that happen after a student completes a worksheet. The program randomly generates math problems that automatically adapt difficulty based on performance, which enables every student to learn at their ideal pace. In addition to this an assessment is emailed to you the parent. The only paper used is scratch paper!

Are you a teacher,administrator, homeschooler, parent, or student? Click on any of these to see how MathScore.com can help you. There are also quite a few demos available to view.  For all of you who like 'freebies' there is a free worksheet generator page to checkout.

Here are all the math topics covered by MathScore.com:
Counting Squares
Fast Addition
Fast Subtraction
Mixed Addition and Subtraction
Basic Word Problems
Telling Time
Odd or Even
Number Comparison
Addition Grouping
Patterns: Shapes
Tally and Pictographs
Bar Graphs
Understanding Multiplication
Beginner Multiplication
Arithmetic Word Problems
Odd or Even Theory
Place Value to 1000
Order Numbers to 1000
Fraction Pictures
Fraction Simplification
Multiplication Facts Strategies
Fast Multiplication
Fast Division
Rounding Numbers
Long Subtraction
Unit Cost
Line Graphs
Fractions to Decimals
Compare Mixed Values
Weight Conversion
Polygon Names
Quadrilateral Types
Triangle Types
Perimeter
Estimated Addition
Long Multiplication
Order Decimals
Factoring
Prime Numbers
Circle Measurements
Mean, Median, Mode
Variable Substitution
Linear Equations
Distributive Property
Long Division with Remainders
Decimal Rounding
Decimal Division
Divisibility Rules
Prime Factoring
Perfect Squares
Fraction Addition
Fraction Word Problems
Number Line
Percentages
Triangle Area
Rectangular Solids
Integer Addition
Exponent Basics
Algebraic Word Problems
Greatest Common Factor
Least Common Multiple
Distance, Rate, and Time
Ratios
Circle Area
Solving For Angles
Triangular Prisms
Cylinders
Probability
Integer Subtraction
Integer Multiplication
Order Of Operations
Simplifying Algebraic Expressions
Single Variable Equations
Scientific Notation
Repeating Decimals
Compound Interest
Temperature Conversion
Congruent And Similar Triangles
Parallelogram Area
Pythagorean Theorem
Exponents Of Fractional Bases
Simplifying Radical Expressions
Algebraic Sentences
Single Variable Inequalities
Determining Slope
Age Problems
Work Word Problems
Nonlinear Functions
Number Line Inequalities
Absolute Value Equations
Graphs to Linear Equations
Foil Method
Trinomial Factoring
Quadratic Formula
Integer Word Problems
System of Equations Addition
Mixture Word Problems
Domain and Range

The normal price is $14.95 a month but there is a special being offered. Check it out below.
Home Service Prices Per Month

Coupon: new user
1st Student  $9.95
2nd Student $5.00
Each Additional Student $3.95
Coupon Benefits:
½ month free and $5 off for 1st child.
Discounts valid for 2 months.

I hear a lot of parents who are interested in homeschooling say I don't know what I'm going to do when I have to teach certain math concepts. Well, I say use a program like this to brush up and review or learn what you need to keep up with your child. Do you have a child struggling in school or at home with math concepts? Try MathScore.com and start your free trial today. If you have any questions that need to be answered about the program, use the contact page here.

As a member of the TOS crew, I was given the opportunity by MathScore.com to review this product for free.

April

Printable Coupons
E.P.T. coupon ($5)

$1 St. Ives coupon

Jiffy Lube Giveaway Winner

Jiffy Lube Giveaway Winner
Congratulations to cdziuba for winning a $35 gift card to Jiffy Lube! Please email me with address info as soon as possible.
Thanks,
April

Wednesday School Freebie

Wednesday, January 27th:
BEEBE'S PICTURE PRIMER (PDF ebook)
Wonderful beginning reading primer, with delightful line illustrations on every page. Great both for reading practice and also for printing out to use as individual coloring pages.

Coupons at Sav-a-lot site
manufacturers coupons that you should be able to use anywhere

Healthy Choice
Several coupons here

'Keyboarding for the Christian School' Review

I love any curriculum that immerses itself in God's Word to teach. This is exactly what Keyboarding For The Christian School by Leanne Beitel does. I have been given the opportunity to review the elementary version for free as a member of the TOS Crew.

The lessons are short and sweet so that the slower learner does not get frustrated and the faster learner may progress rapidly!

My 2 oldest boys have been more active on the computer lately with the different products I have been offered to review and why not learn how to type right to begin with! The added bonus to this program is that as soon as the lessons progress to a point where words and sentences are introduced the author has given verses to practice their their typing skills with. Here are several examples:

"Choose My instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold, for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her. "

"With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness."

Wow! Your child will be reading and typing these awesome verses several times. What a great way to integrate God's Word into your child's day! As the lessons increase in difficulty the author gives longer passages of scripture to practice.

The concepts taught in Keyboarding for the Christian School are alphabetic keys, numbers and symbol keys, number pad, centering, enumerated lists, timed writings, and a timing scale.
An older student might want to look into using Keyboarding for the Christian School Revised Edition which gives additional instruction for the following skills: Tab Key, MLA Reports,
APA Reports, Cover Page, Works Cited, Bibliography, Personal-Business Letters,
Business Letters, Envelopes, Proofreader’s Marks, and Tables.

The website features a freebies page, free newsletter, and a blog. Several specials are being offered right now. Check these out below and even more on christiankeyboarding.com!

Need a Coupon to start the year right? Type NewYear5 in the Discount Code section for $5 off of your purchase of $12.95 or more available until February 28, 2010!2010 NEW YEAR SPECIAL: Purchase both the Keyboarding for the Christian School, Revised Edition and the Elementary Edition for only $22! Yes, this is a big savings! So, purchase your e-books now for only $22 for both typing books!

You can reach the author, Leanne at l.beitel@christiankeyboarding.com or (800) 559-2154.

Mailing Address:Christian Keyboarding

P. O. Box 34183

Fort Worth, TX 76162

April

Christian Keyboarding provided me with a free eBook each on Keyboarding for the Christian School Elementary level and a Keyboarding for the Christian School Revised (Upper Elementary-Sr High) edition eBooks, to use and test with my family, so that I could write this review.

Tuesday School Freebie

Monday, January 25th:
LIFE BEGINS (PDF comic book) "Life Begins: An Amazing Adventure",
a comic book published by Human Life Alliance, is designed to teach grade school children about the humanity of the pre-born child. It is a walk through the first nine months of life, lead by two adventurous narrators, Carl and Tickles. Children will enjoy their antics while learning important life-affirming information about how a baby grows inside a mother's womb. The story is very tastefully and modestly done, and is great to share with all ages.

Printable Coupons
Sure for Men deoderant
75 cent coupon

Pert Plus
$1 coupon

Salada Tea
75 cent coupon

April

Jiffy Lube Review and Giveaway

A few days ago I was able to enjoy using a gift card offered to me through My Blog Spark by Shell Lubricants and MotorOilMatters.org which entitled me to a free oil change at the nearest Jiffy Lube.

I had to drive about 30 minutes to the closest Jiffy Lube but it was worth the time.
The day was not an ideal day to be out. It was rainy and I had already been to one appointment with Miya (our newest addition). However, customer service was excellent! I had driven close to the door and rushed to get Miya and myself inside only to find out I was supposed to drive around back. The lady at the front said don't worry about it, we'll drive your car around!
I barely had time to nurse Miya and they were done! Friendly and efficient, my kind of place to be with kids!

With the oil change, they check all kinds of things on your vehicle and you get a great coupon booklet upon checkout. I can also stop in any time before the next oil change is due and they will top off the oil free of charge! Make sure you sign up here for promotions and coupons.


So, Shell Lubricants and MotorOilMatters.org through MyBlogSpark want to offer you, my readers, the opportunity to enjoy your own free oil change with a $35 gift card to your local Jiffy Lube.

This will be a quick giveaway so get your entries in as soon as possible.
The giveaway will end on January 26 at 5:00 eastern time.
To enter this giveaway you may do one or more of the following:
1. Let me know you are a subscriber.
2. Blog about this giveaway and leave a comment with the link.
3. Follow this blog.
4. Follow me on twitter.
5. Tweet about this giveaway and leave a comment with the link.
6. Answer the following question:
Did you make a New Year's resolution? Mine is always to be more organized!

Good Luck,
April

Berties's War (A Novel Review)

'Bertie's War' by Barbara Tifft Blakey takes you back in time to the year of 1962 through the eyes of a seventh grade girl named Bertie. Bertie is already a fearful girl and now as she faces the changes taking place in her and the world around her she is in a constant state of turmoil trying to do right yet always managing to get herself into embarrassing situations.
I enjoyed the book but will probably wait to share it with my kids till they have made it through the initial roller coaster of emotions that life's changes bring to young teenagers. I believe at that time they could look back and laugh at their awkwardness instead of focusing on the fear of change.
Bertie's War would be a useful tool in a history unit study on nuclear war and the Cuban Missile Crisis. It introduces the idea of bomb shelters and a project could be done with kids putting together an emergency kit and teaching them some essential survival skills.
There is a surprise ending regarding the inner war raging in Bertie's heart and mind that is thought provoking and challenging to anyone that might read it.
An aspect I really appreciated about Bertie's War is it encourages respect to parents and elders, and upholds Christian family values.
I received the book, Bertie's War to review for TOS Homeschool Crew. The book is published by Kregel Publications and may be purchased for $7.99.

April
This book was sent to me free of charge for review purposes.

Friday School Freebie

Friday, January 22nd:
THE GIANT HANDBOOK OF NATURE STUDY,
PART VI - EARTH, WATER & SKY

Free eCookbook:
31 Secret Restaurant Copycat Recipes featuring 53 pages of quick and easy recipes.

Thursday School Freebie

Thursday, January 21st: (school freebie)
THE GIANT HANDBOOK OF NATURE STUdY,
PART V - PLANTS AND TREES


Olay Rebate Offer
$20 rebate offer here

Wednesday School Freebie

Wednesday, January 20th: (school freebie)
THE GIANT HANDBOOK OF NATURE STUDY,
PART IV - INSECTS & INVERTEBRATES

Rebate Offers

Post It
Buy $20 or more of any 3M™ Permanent Label
and/or Post-it® Removable Label products between
December 15, 2009 and June 30, 2010
and receive a $10 rebate by mail.

Kraft Foods
$10 rebate offer

Dole Fruit Packs Rebate
Go here to view offer

Monday School Freebie

Monday, January 18th:
THE GIANT HANDBOOK OF NATURE STUDY, PART I - TEACHER'S GUIDE & OVERVIEW plus THE GIANT HANDBOOK OF NATURE STUDY, PART II - BIRDS & FISH
In PART ONE, you get a very helpful and practical teacher's guide, including an overview of the purpose, scope and style of the handbook... how each lesson is set up... what nature study should do for your children... how to to tie math, art, geography, gardening, agriculture & science into your nature study, and more. Each lesson begins with a "teacher's story" which can be read to students along with suggested activities & methods, followed by great discussion questions. In PART TWO, we jump into the actual lessons, this time devoted to birds & fish. As you'll quickly see, these lessons are wonderfully written, blending history, humor, a bit of poetry, and a delightful sense of wonder into these nature studies. Over the rest of the week, then, we'll bring you the rest of the booK:

Printable Coupons
Pilsbury Crescent Rolls
50 cent off 1

Kettle Potato Chips
$1 off 1

Freebie
Free Recipe Box from WearEver

Rebate Offer
Go to www.scjohnson.com/value for a downloadable form to get a $5 rebate with purchase of three of the featured items. Can get up to 3 rebates/household! Ends 6/30/10.
Thanks Christy!










Freebie Offer

Go to Kap & Pen to get this great spelling booklet freebie.

April

Printable Coupons

Green Giant Frozen Vegetables
50 cent off 1 coupon

Classico Pasta Sauce
coupon here

Free pen from Uniball
Go here to request one.

Family Circle Magazine
Sign up for 3 free issues here.


April

The Old Schoolhouse Magazine Special
5 Years for the Price of 2
An unbelievable price for The Old Schoolhouse Magazine subscriptions: get 5 years for the price of 2. For only $39.00 you will find amazing resources, candid interviews with business owners, glimpses into the routines of other homeschools, articles from the experts in homeschooling, as well as up-and-coming innovators helping our days run a little more smoothly.

Printable Coupons
Wet Ones Wipes
Get coupon here

Natures Cure Acne Products
$3 coupon

Silk Soymilk
75 cent coupon

Question for Fellow Bloggers
I usually try to do a weeks worth of posts and use post options to preschedule them.
I changed computers and since then it doesn't matter what date I give the post, if I click publish post it publishes automatically. Does anybody have any suggestions?
Please email me at onceuponaqpon(at)gmail(dot)com.
Thanks,
April

Printable Coupons


Emerald Nut Products
$1 off any one coupon


Pert Plus
$1 off any coupon


Dawn Dish Detergent
several coupons



Tip of the Day
Find Your Metal
Put a magnet strip in your medicine cabinet or inside the cupboard door to hold tweezers, nail clippers, and scissors.

April

Monday School Freebie

Monday, January 11th:
Winter "Why" Tales (PDF ebook)
A lovely little children's storybook featuring two fanciful wintertime stories: "Why the Bear Sleeps All Winter", and "Why the Evergreens Keep Their Leaves". Great read alouds for a chilly winter day!

Printable Coupons
Kraft Bagelfuls
$1 coupon here

Michelina's frozen foods
coupons here

Kraft cheese coupon
print coupon here

Staples Freebies and Deals

Go check out the great deals at Staples
Staples Freebies
Staples Writing Pads (6 pk.), $7.99
Bankers Legal Box (6 pk.), $9.99
Manilla Folders (50 ct.), $8
Staples Pull and Seal Envelopes (100 ct.), $7.99
Zebra Retractable Gel Pens, $3.99
Small Binder Clips (40 ct.), $3.39

Staples $1 Deals
Pentel Ballpoint Pens
Staples Envelopes (50 pk. — fits a 4×6 photo)
Pentel Mechanical Pencils
Quartet Magnetic Dry Erase Board
Stapler w/ Stapler Remover
Bic Dry Erase Markers
Accel 1-Subject Notebooks
Staples Glue Sticks (4 pk.)

Printable Coupon
Honey Nut Cheerios
$1 coupon here

Friday, January 15th:
"Gulliver's Travels for Kids" (PDF ebook + MP3 audio)
Gulliver's Travels is one of the best known classics of all of English literature. Written by Jonathan Swift and published in 1726, the original book is a true classic, but it is frankly WAY too long and stuffy, filled with then-contemporary social satire on travel & the literary genres of the time. Can you say "Boring...!" But not today! Today we feature TWO great resources that make this classic "living book" truly come alive for your kids: 1) "Gulliver's Travels, rewritten for Young Readers" Great "easy reader" PDF ebook version of the story written by James Baldwin 2) "Gulliver's Travels" A delightfully fun audio dramatization of the story originally broadcast on radio in 1947. You'll hear many familiar "cartoon voices" portraying the 1/4" tall Lilliputians in the story. Fun for listeners of all ages!

Thursday School Freebie

Thursday, January 14th:
Strange Stories from History (PDF ebooks)
Two more mini-ebooks featuring remarkable but little known tales from the pages of American History that will fascinate your kids: "THE CANOE WAR" The story of the smallest wartime naval battle ever fought in all history, which occurred on the Alabama River on the 13th of November, 1813 -- between two canoes. and "THE BATTLE IN THE DARK" Great story of how General Andrew Jackson and his rag-tag army took on an overwhelming British force which sought to capture New Orleans in the War of 1812 -- in the pitch dark of midnight!



Printable Coupons



Bar-S

coupons here

Tuesday School Freebie

Tuesday, January 12th:
Sherlock Holmes in "The Adventure of the Speckled Band" (MP3 Audio)
Put on your sleuthing hat and get out your magnifying glass -- It's time to solve a mystery! "The Adventure of the Speckled Band" is one of the 56 short Sherlock Holmes stories written by British author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, who later revealed that he thought this was his best Holmes story. This fine audio dramatization of this classic story was originally broadcast on "The New Adventures of Sherlock Holmes" in 1945!



Printable Coupons



Wishbone salad dressing

75 cent coupon



Softscrub coupon

go here to download coupon