Monday 27 February 2012

My First Hands On Bible Book Review.



At Christmas I decided that it was time to update my four year olds Bible. I spent a lot of time in our local Christian book shop trying to find the 'right' one for her. I wanted something 'special', something a little different that tells God's truths. And I found one My First Hands On Bible, Tyndale Kids.


When I picked it I knew it was the best of the selection for Avril. But until we started to use it I had no idea how fantastic this little Bible really is.

This is what I love.....

1. It uses real Bible text unlike most preschool bibles.
2. Whilst we are reading the text there are three different hand prints scattered in the borders of the page and within the text, which you match and read the activity. These indicate a hands on activity. This helps the child become a part of what is being read.
3. There is a Jesus Connection note with every story, pointing to Jesus from old to new testament.
4. There is a Let's Talk section with simple questions to prompt a conversation with your child.
5. There is always a simple activity to do like Cloud watching or floating a boat in Tub Time.
6. And there is always a prayer time to share.

If your child likes to be active and involved in their Bible reading, then this is a fantastic book to encourage this. It is clear and simple. The illustrations are bright and colourful. I am having a lot of fun reading this with Avril. 

Find this Bible at Amazon.

Tempt my Tummy Tuesday... Banana and Raspberry cake with Passionfruit icing!!

 I found this recipe in the latest Australian Good Taste Magazine and thought it worthy of this spot! I absolutely love love finding new, exciting recipes to try out.

Banana And Raspberry Cake with Passionfruit Icing:


Melted butter, to grease
125g butter, chopped
140g (2/3 cup) firmly packed brown sugar.
2 eggs, lightly whisked
125g (1/2 cup) sour cream
260g (1 cup) mashed banana (about 4 bananas)
225g (1 1/2 cups) Self-raising Flour
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp bicarbonate of soda
100g Frozen raspberries
125g cream cheese, room temperature
40g butter, room temperature
80g (1/2 cup) pure icing sugar
60ml (1/4 cup) fresh passionfruit pulp
Rasperries to serve.

1. Preheat oven to 180C. Stir the butter and sugar in a small saucepan - low heat - until melts. Set aside and cool for 10 minutes.
2. Stir the egg, sour cream and banana into butter mixture.
3. Sift flour, cinnamon and bicarb into large bowl. Add banana mixture, stir until combined. Fold in raspberries. Spoon into prepared pan.
4. Bake 1 hour, 10 mins.
5. Cool 5 mins before transferring to wire rack.
6. Use an electric beater to beat cream cheese, butter and icing sugar in bowl until pale and creamy. Beat in half passionfruit pulp. Spread over cooled cake. Top with raspberries and drizzle with remaining passionfruit pulp.


Hope you enjoy baking this fruity delight.....


Check out other tempting recipes at:


www.blessedwithgrace.net

Friday 24 February 2012

Friday Favourite Finds

Here we go Favourite Finds from my searching this week... this week to be different I am going to start with homeschool:



Firstly, I thought this was great!! I just had to share....sourced at Our Mothership Adventures on School Adventures via Pinterest.

Now onto my other finds...

Music Studies: 
A site where you can listen and play games, based on different composers and instruments.

Listen and Learn

Sourced at DSO Kids on School Adventures via Pinterest.

Phonic free printables and activities




Sourced at Ed Helper on school Adventures via Pinterest

Art studies


greatartistspromo

  • Lesson plans for each week
  • Lap Book printables
  • Artist Notebooking page
  • Art Puzzles
  • Artist Flashcards


All you need for a study of these well known artists.

Sourced at Confessions of a Homeschooler on School Adventures via Pinterest

Next onto my favourite food finds....

1. Baked Oatmeal with Strawberry, Banana and Chocolate.


 Source: Inspired Taste on School Adventures via Pinterest

2. Nutella Stuffed French Toast Pancakes




Source: Kirby's Cravings on School Adventures via Pinterest

3. Strawberry Nutella Poptarts


2011_4_2bwbkasey04.jpg

Source: the Kitchn via School Adventures on Pinterest

4. Loaded Baked Potato Soup

Loaded Baked Potato Soup from Carnation Café at Disneyland Park

Source:  Disney Parks Blogs via School Adventures on Pinterest

5.  Hearty Chicken Stew with butternut Squash and Quinoa.

Hearty-Chicken-Stew-with-Butternut-Squash-&-Quinoa-Recipe-Cookin-Canuck

Source: Cookin' Canuck via School Adventures on Pinterest

6. Rolo Brownie Bites
Rolo Brownie Bites

Source: Bakers Royale via School Adventures on Pinterest

For more Favourite Finds head to Finding Joy In My Kitchen or my Pinterest Board for more ideas.

A step into the past and a fun 'splash'!


This week has been a mighty big one!!! We managed one morning of study at home. But that is great because we spent the rest of the week exploring the world.

On Monday we explored Australia a 100 - 150 years ago. As a home schooling group we headed to a local attraction where the kids (and adults!!) were able to experience hands on activities of life in the past.


 Here is Damon and a friend using a washing board and soap to scrub clothing.



 What I love about homeschooling is that everyone is involved not just the school age kids :) Here is Josef having a go at washing the clothes.



We were able to explore the shelter that Captain Thunderbolt, a bush ranger had once resided. The kids tried to guess what each room may have been used for.


 There was also the opportunity to try out old-fashioned play. Here are a group of kids playing tug o war.

 You can do it!!! Pull!!

 Here is Josef and a friend trying to work out the ring toss!




And Damon had his first experience of playing elastics!!

Next we were off to the sheds to explore. To demonstrate how the horses helped power the farm machinery, Damon and friend were chosen to re-enact!


After spending some time in my boys group I headed off to discover what the girls were up to.
I found them at the washing station.


Avril was having a ball!!



Inside the Homestead we explored each room and saw lots of antique furniture and other items. Below is the kitchen where we were shown how different items worked. The small tin bath was interesting especially hearing that the men washed first, then the women and lastly the children all in the same water once a week!!! EEEWWWW!! Doesn't that sound delightful, but they knew no different :)


Another station was the water bucket carrying. This is where Damon learned a lesson in listening!! lol I asked him to hold the hose so that I could turn it on, but sadly he placed it back onto the grass and unfortunately (hehe!!), Josef picked it up!! And much to his delight he hosed down Damon and the other kids standing around, soaking them all!! Thankfully it was a hot day!!


 I left the boys to their water carrying and headed to find the girls playing games. Here is Adele and Avril having a turn at the elastics.

 Next the girls headed to the sheds where it was Adele's turn to play horse.

Then I returned to find two drenched boys!! The water had been too much of a temptation, lol!! It had been a long, hot day :) Lots learned and lots of fun.

Tuesday morning was our only morning at home this week!! Damon decided to use his time to make some cupcakes with his brother.


 Avril who started piano lessons this term spent time practising. Avril also started ballet this week. Here she is pretending to be a cat. they are practising a routine to Memory from Cats the musical.

Damon moved himself to his room to write and illustrate his Bible journal. We have started a character study on obedience.

Adele decided instead of drawing her apple tree lifecycle, that she wanted to paint it on her new easel.


On Wednesday Adele heads off to drama class with other homeschoolers. This week they had to bring a hat as a prop. Here she is wearing a beret I picked up in Paris for her.

And Damon decided it would be fun to continue with Hippo studies. So here they are moving around like hippo's trying to imitate their sound, lol!!

On Thursday we headed off to a local indoor pool for our homeschool swimming carnival.




It was a great opportunity to catch up with friends.




Here is Avril determined but scared and ready to cry, entering the noodle race! I had no idea she would race! I was shocked and impressed. And even though she was scared she jumped in and had a go!


And she was rewarded with a ribbon - go Avril!!


Adele is always keen to get in and have a go! She entered every race.







 Damon also had a go in quite a few races.


The kids after the races were excited as the pool had organised to set up the inflatable for them.






A really great day!!

The rest of the week was spent with friends. Here are the kids thrilled and waiting to delight in some chocolate cake that our friends baked for morning tea!!

Damon was excited about this event as we caught up with one of his close friends from school.


It was a lovely relaxing morning and a playful one for the kids.



A very energetic and tiring week. I couldn't do this every week but once it while it is such great fun.


To see more homeschool adventures head to Chestnut Grove Academy.