Loving Learning at Home

We choose Virtues - TOS review

2012-01-22T21:30:00.001-05:00

Company: We choose Virtues

Product: Virtue Clue Cards
Price: $7.95 (On sale now for $5.99)
Website: www.wechoosevirtues.com

Miriam-Webster describes the word virtue as a commendable quality or trait.
Doesn't everyone want to have great virtues? In ourselves but also in our children. I want people to look at them and say, "Wow, those kids have been taught great virtues."

I know that. I'm sure you want that too. But, honestly, before I got the Virtue Clue Cards from We Choose Virtues, I wasn't real sure what a virtue was. I know know it's kind of a fancy work for character. Our family received the Virtue Clue Cards to review and we have had a lot of fun learning the cute phrases on each of the cards.

We Choose Virtues says that instilling virtues in kids is hard work. But it can be fun too. In fact there is no better way to learn. So they bring memorable catchphrases, endearing characters, and just plain fun to simply inspire character that lasts. It's the best choice you can make for the kids in your life.

The cards we received are reminders of what to say in certain situations. They come in a handy pack so we can review them anywhere. As you can see they have cute little characters on them and are designed for children age 3-11.

Here is what the company has to say about their program.

We Choose Virtues is a not unit study that you use once and then move on from. It is actually a character development tool that you use every day, every year. You introduce the Virtues, then demonstrate them, memorize the catchphrases, then learn the antonyms, then capture teachable moments when they are being used…or aren’t. You will be amazed how fast you will all learn to obey (not just learn what obedience is, but actually learn to obey!)…and 11 other Virtues too! There are 13 Parenting Cards, one card is the Butterfly and Caterpillar Card. It teaches that everyone was born able to change.

I love that. Isn't it great that we can all change? Even parents need to work on their character.

There are 12 Virtues in the Early Childhood through Elementary set. They are…I am Diligent, I am Kind, I am Helpful, I am Obedient, I am Forgiving, I am Perseverant, I am Gentle, I am Patient, I am Self-Controlled, I am Content, I am Honest, and I am Attentive.

Our family has been working on several of these. My favorite is I am Obedient.

We have hung this one on the refrigerator because it is very difficult for my kids. The phrase for this one is "Ok, whatever you say, I will obey, right away. I am NOT ... argumentative, slow or unwilling, and I don't refuse to do what I'm told.
My kids are pretty much the opposite of this. I told them I was going to keep saying this until they "got it". They are pretty sick of me saying it because I repeat it constantly.   Why is it so hard for them to obey me?

Guess it started in The Garden.

We also received a PDF copy of their coloring book along with the teacher's handbook and a few other resources that are free on their website. This is a great way to reinforce the virtues.    Bella loves to color so she really enjoyed this. The coloring book is available for only $3.00 as a PDF. You can reprint as many times as you like.

You can check out the full sets that you can get for your family here. The kits include posters, stickers and other things to help instill good virtues in your children.

Right now there is a clearance sale going on. You won't want to miss it.
You can see what the other crew members have to say about this product here.

We (okay, I) really enjoyed this product. I think it is a great way to help your children learn what is expected of them in a fun, cute way.

Please note that I received this product in exchange for my opinion in this review. No other compensation was provided.   Thank you to We choose Virtues and TOS for this opportunity.

Domino's anyone?

2012-01-20T10:23:00.000-05:00

Would you like Domino's for supper tonight? I'm always looking for coupons and good deals on Pizza. We love it.

There was a coupon on our box yesterday when David got the kids pizza so I thought I would share with my local readers. This is for the Cincinnati area.

Order a 1 topping Large pizza for only $3.99. That's the best deal I've seen. Ever.

One catch. You have to order online. So, go to www.cincydominos.com and use the code ONLNE to get your pizza's.

There is a limit of 2.

Here it is again. Order Domino's online with the code ONLNE and pay only $3.99 for a one topping LARGE pizza. Limit 2 per order

My suggestion is if you need more is just do it in two different orders. Can't hurt to try.

Let Amelia live - sign the petition.

2012-01-13T21:01:00.001-05:00

Little Amelia needs a kidney transplant. Her family is offering to donate one. She will die in less than a year without it.

Her doctors at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia said no. They will not do the transplant. Guess why? Because she is mentally handicapped. Yep, no other reason other than they don't feel her life is good enough to go on because she has a mental handicap.

Should we allow doctors to play God? I don't think so. What gives them the right to decide if she lives or dies? It is scary that we live in the best country in the world but yet children are denied the right to live based on what a doctor thinks they are worth.

You can help.

Click here to sign a petition to let this hospital know we don't think it is okay.  It only takes a minute. you could save a life.

If we allow doctors to do this, what next?  Do we check for IQ levels before treatment. What if they decide tomorrow that your child has a problem that makes them unworthy of a life saving treatment? It realy could come to that. Please go sign the petition. You can also read the entire story about Amelia here.

Matthew 25:40 says ""The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

Amelia's parents thank you.  Amelia thanks you. I thank you. Most importantly, God thanks you.

God Bless.

Mile in His Shoes - DVD Review and Giveaway

2012-01-13T16:44:00.001-05:00

Our family is always looking for movies that are appropriate for our kids to watch. It is getting harder and harder to find these.

This movie is from the director of "Angels in the Outfield". It is a great story about an autistic boy who is amazing at baseball. A coach for a minor league team finds him totally by accident when he runs off the road while driving. He helps the young boy overcome some of his fears and difficulties he faces as a young man with Asperger's.

Our entire family loved this movie. The kids said it was sad and there is a part where there is a fight but nothing inappropriate at all.

We highly recommend this movie for your next family movie night. You won't be disappointed. One of my favorite things about this company (Propeller) that provides me with the movies is that I don't have to share them if I wouldn't use it personally. How cool is that?
You can find out more about the movie by visiting the following:

Website: http://www.watchgmctv.com/video/mile-his-shoes#biography

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/A-Mile-In-His-Shoes/270101973014772?sk=wall

Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ev2T0BFetH4

Dove Foundation Review: http://www.dove.org/reviewmasterframe.asp

Would you like to win a copy for your own family to watch? One of my readers will win a copy of A Mile in His Shoes. Here's How...

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Thank you to Propeller for this wonderful DVD.

“Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or

services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it

on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally

and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance

with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the

Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Ocean Spray - MyBlogSpark Giveaway and Review

2012-01-13T16:25:00.000-05:00

My kids love fruit snacks. I think most do. I have found good fruit snacks and pretty gross ones. My kids are picky about the kind that they eat. They actually like generic ones better than the expensive ones.

MyBlogSpark offered me Ocean Spray Real Fruit Snacks to try in exchange for this review. No other compensation was given.

I received 6 boxes of fruit snacks to try. Yep, you read that right. 6 boxes.   Three boxes of Assorted Fruit Flavor and three boxes of Berries and Cherries.

My kids love them. I usually don't eat fruit snacks because they are too sticky. I tried these and I have to admit I liked them too. They aren't sticky at all and they taste great.

Some great things to know about them are they are made with real fruit juice, no artificial colors or flavors, they are only 80 calories a pack. They are gluten free and contain 100% of the daily Vitamin C your kiddos need.   They also have Double Box Tops year round for those of you who save those.

I have been given 4 of these prize packs to give away.   So four of my readers will get 6 of these boxes for their own families.   Your chance of winning is great (well, actually 4 x as good).

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Thank you to MyBlogSpark and Ocean Spray for this great product. My family loved it.

Frosted Toast Crunch - Review and Giveaway

2012-01-13T16:11:00.000-05:00

Need something new for breakfast? Are your kids tired of the same old cereal?

Introducing NEW Frosted Toast Crunch by General Mills. With the delicious taste of frosted vanilla, this cereal is totally irresistible. Just one bite of the new Frosted Toast Crunch will send you into breakfast bliss, with each crunch square baked with the delightful taste of frosted vanilla and dusted with a delicious dash of cinnamon.

Okay, you can tell that is a total advertisement, right? That is the information they sent me.

I received the following items.

Spilt milk bowl

Lickety spoon

Frosted pitcher

Frosted Toast Crunch cereal

This was given to me by General Mills through MyBlogSpar. My kids loved the cereal.

With 11 grams of whole grain, 9 grams of sugar and a good source of calcium, Frosted Toast Crunch offers a good start to the day
Crave those new FROSTED crazy squares? They’ll be available in your local grocers early January, just in time for return-to-school.

I haven't seen them yet in the store but I know they are coming. Would you like to win the same set I received? My kids favorite thing was the bowl and spoon. The bowl is flexible and looks like the milk is spilt. The spoon is shaped like a really long tongue. Every time Bella uses it she says, "Look Mom, my tongue is super long". It's funny looking, for sure.

I received this package in exchange for my honest opinion in this review. No other compensation was received. Thank you to MyBlogSpark and General Mills.

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