Nebraska Hockey Mom

Third Grade Writing Prompts for Holidays: A Creative Writing Workbook   I was given the opportunity to review several books written by Bryan Cohen.  They are all writing workbooks to help prompt kids in their writing.  I got to review first through fourth grade this month, but I am going to do this post on the 3rd grade one as that is the one that has helped my kids a lot.  These workbooks have story starters in them which are meant to help spur on the imagination and writing skills of the children in these grade levels.  This particular book covers most of the holidays.  As a former homeschooler, I felt these would work great as a supplement to my children's classroom experience or as a rainy day activity or school break activity.  I have four children ages 13, 11, 7 and 4.  The 4 year old isn't writing yet and the 13 year old writes beautifully.  So with those two aside...I have my 2nd grader and my 6th grader.  My 2nd grader writes above her level, s

Recently I was given the opportunity to have a Leap Frog Rock and Learn party!  We got to review the Leap Frog Touch Magic Rockin' Guitars and Touch Magic Learning Bus.  We had a ton of fun!  We had a very diverse group!  Mostly 2-4 year olds, but we had a couple younger than 2 and a couple older than 4 also!  Even the oldest of the kids (11) enjoyed playing with these very neat educational toys! The guitar brings musical fun and develops preschool skills with every little touch.  Kids can choose to play solo without a backup, play along with a band, or select electric or acoustic guitar to songs including the Alphabet Song, Rockin' Robin, Itsy Bitsy Spider, If You're Happy and You Know It and Pop Goes the Weasel.  Plus they can customize their play experience, by adding guitar riffs, silly sounds and drums. The Bus is also very neat!  The ABC's are a key step in developing early reading skills.  The Touch Magic Learning Bus takes kids on a musical journey filled wi

I recently had the extraordinary honor of reviewing "The Scent of Cherry Blossoms" by Cindy Woodsmall. I haven't had the pleasure of reading all of her books yet, but I have read several, and I can tell you that Cindy Woodsmall never disappoints me.  She is amazing in her writing.  The Scent of Cherry Blossoms is a book about love and the challenges some of us have to face for love....similar to the challenges that Jesus had to face for the love he had for us.  The author is very good about slipping in messages to us about God's goodness and love, while giving us an incredible story.  This book was one that cannot be put down.  I finished it in two nights of reading before bed.  This story is one of love, challenges and overcoming those challenges...and not always in love.  This particular story had overcoming some physical challenges too.  It is also very informative.  Cindy Woodsmall is meticulous with her facts about the Amish and the Mennonite.  My dad and

I know I have been home from our summer trips for a couple weeks...but I have been so busy getting kids in school and getting prepared for fall events at our church that I haven't been able to post.  I will though...PROMISE!  Until then, please be in prayer for the Shauls in the DR.  They are the missionaries we help out when we are there.  Here is their latest blog post.  There is a nasty hurricane coming their way. http://theshauls.myadventures.org/?filename=preparing-for-a-storm

BE THE MOM By Tracey Lanter Eyster Book Review The subtitle to this book is "Overcome attitude traps and enjoy your kids".  This book couldn't have come at a better time for me.  I used to have no trouble enjoying my kids.  I have 4 of them, a 13 year old, 11 year old, 7 year old and 4 year old.  We used to have tons of fun.  I even used to homeschool.  We did everything together.  But then something happened.  Life got busy....really busy.....really fast.  Suddenly when we were home, all I wanted to do was rest.  I got stuck in all of the traps that the author lays out for us in her book.  Since reading this book though, I feel energized to try again.  To let go of all the mommy traps and enjoy my kids yet again.  Here are the traps.  See if you fit into any of them. Just a mom trap.  Have you ever heard yourself or another mom utter those words?  ""I am JUST a mom."  Yikes!        That phrase should be ripped from the human vocabulary.  I say hum

“Mom! Phineas and Ferb are going on a LIVE tour!!!”  Coming  on October 18, 2012  to the  Pershing Center, Lincoln, NE. School‘s out for summer and anything is possible as Phineas and Ferb create their biggest invention yet --   Disney’s Phineas and Ferb: The Best LIVE Tour Ever!   Phineas, Ferb, and the whole tri-state area gang embark on a bold escape jumping out from behind your TV and onto the stage in a live action adventure – right in your hometown!  And, before you can wonder, “Hey, where’s Perry?” the beloved pet platypus shifts to his secret double life as Agent P to foil another one of Dr. Doofenshmirtz’s evil plans.  Musical madness abounds in an escapade so awesome that even Candace can’t help but join the hilarious hijinks.  It’s the ultimate end to summer vacation, so seize the day ‘cause Phineas and Ferb are gonna do it all!   SAVE $4 on Tickets!  Use code  MOMS http://lincolnkidsguide.com/coupon.php?bid=10805&dealid=958