Mood:  spacey

Please pray for the Tinkel's...especially me! It has been a wonderful day. Joshua's football game was this morning and grandma came all the way from Oak Ridge to see it! Although his team lost, Joshua did great. Afterwords, we all went out to McDonalds and some of Joshua's teammates showed up. They had a fantastic time playing in the play place. This afternoon, we went to a birthday party at the state park and again Joshua played with friends for about an hour before we had to leave for yet another party (this usually does not happen to us - what a day). This time it was a pool party/barbecue. And mmmmmmmm was it great! Our host is a professional chef and gets things on wholesale. How about pure Angus beef hotdogs for the kids and lamb steaks...yes I said LAMB steaks and vegetable Kabobs for the adults. Joshua had a fantastic time in the pool. Overall it was a fabulous day and Joshua, on his new (actually old) medicine was our sweet Joshua once again...until we got home.

He is tired out and having a meltdown. As I write this he is yelling that he hates his life and that this is the "worstest" day ever. Typical, tired, busy day, medicine has warn off, Joshua. And I have a review to write that was actually due yesterday! Thankfully we have a three day period that we are allowed to post it so I have until tomorrow. I am tired, I can't think straight - especially with a child that is having a meltdown, and I am just not going to try right now. I'm going to set my alarm and try to get it done before church.

So, pray for me. Sunday's are always long days anyway and we are planning on going to Grandma's after evening service for a couple of days to celebrate labor day. Please pray that I will get it done tomorrow morning. Actually, compared to the last three weeks, life is pretty good, so I can't really complain. It's just one of those things that happens. It's just another one of those nights!

Subscribe to Families Again

Mood:  a-ok

Last year I had the great pleasure of reviewing Time4Learning's preschool program and Joshua loved it. One of the first things that he covered was shapes, so instead of "Time4Learning", Joshua wanted to play "Shapes" all of the time. Of course, he learned much more than shapes. You can read my review of Time4Learning preschool by clicking here.

This year I got to review Time4Learning's elementary program and, although Jacob wasn't too thrilled, John Allen and Joshua enjoyed it! It was everything that we expected and more. I put Joshua to work on math right away because that is where he is very deficient. He is still learning about money and they had some great lessons on identifying coins and their value, then on adding different coins together. Later he really enjoyed some of the science activities such as learning about magnets. Time4Learning always makes learning fun. Joshua loved the animation. Much of it was hilarious and even Jacob wanted to watch some things over and over again. That's what makes Time4Learning such a great program. They do excellent teaching in very entertaining ways. When the two go together, you can't lose.

Even the older grade sections are great. John Allen worked on pre-algebra, and, although such topics have to get down to brass tacks a little more and not use as much animation, it was still well done with excellent teaching. You really can't go wrong with Time4Learning.

Now, don't get me wrong, Time4Learning has much more than math and science. It has social studies, history, grammar...almost anything you can think of. And, it has printable worksheets to reinforce the online interactive teaching and, for those reluctant learners, there are reward games that you can play. The games are links to some of the best educational and fun game sites on the internet. It's all easy to use with detailed reporting, lesson plans, teaching tools for parents, and it all meets state educational standards. Time4Learning can be used as a stand alone homeschool curriculum or as a supplement to your existing studies.

Now with everything that I've mentioned above you probably think that this must cost an arm and a leg but you would be wrong. Time4Learning only costs $19.95 for the first child and $14.95 for each additional child! Still not convinced? If you go to there website, Time4Learning has free lessons in all grade levels that you can try out. You can get to their website by clicking here or on any on of the hi-lighted links above. And, don't forget, you can access the reviews of the other TOS Crew members by clicking here. Give it a try, I don't think you will be disappointed. Happy home educating! 

As a member of the TOS Homeschool Crew I was given a free 30 day membership of Time4Learning's elementary edition in order to try out and to review on my blog.

Subscribe to Families Again

Mood:  happy

Anyway, his old medication seemed to be wearing off too soon, and, since we were at the max. for what he could get, we couldn't up his prescription. So, after talking with our doctor, we decided to switch him to a different medication. I was reluctant at first, because I always hate switching medications with my kids, but we decided to try it and watch him carefully for any side effects. Well, after a week and a half, there was no difference. In fact, he was worse. So, we upped the new medication. Instead of getting better he got even worse! This went on for about another week and a half. He was inattentive, got upset very easily, homeshool was a bust...nothing got done. His worst on the old medicine was 10 times better than this new medicine.

Last weekend we had had enough so promptly on Monday we called the doctor again. Together we decided to try his old medication again in an extended release version. It has been wonderful! Our old Joshua is back! Kind, sweet, eager to learn (most of the time )...he was our little boy again! And we are thrilled. Thank you for all of your prayers.

And thank you, Lord, for our son Joshua. Thank you for always taking care of him and guiding to do what is best for him. Thank you for your care for all of us. Amen 

Subscribe to Families Again

Mood:  happy

Made you look didn't I!?!

Anyway, it is actually two announcements that I want to make.

1. Thank you all for entering my recent contest to win the Download N Go unit study ~ Roller Coasters. The official winner was (drum roll please),

Heather Woodie!

Congratulations Heather!

2. Joshua and I are enjoying our most recent Download N Go unit study ~ Pizza Party. I will be posting a review for it on Saturday and will be giving away a free copy of it as well! So, please check back again this weekend to read my review and enter the giveaway!

Subscribe to Families Again

Mood:  incredulous

I think I am safe to post this since I live down south and have a very southern wife. Enjoy!

Subscribe to Families Again