Taking Care of You - Part Two

Welcome back to our “Taking Care of YOU” series.

If you missed Part 1, please click HERE to read that post before continuing with Part 2.

 Today I’m going to jump right in with hint #2:

     2.      Use your “you time” for your needs, not others’. What makes you feel better? Hobbies such as reading, sewing, quilting, walking?

“Who has time?” you say? Most of us don't have time for hobbies, but we need to try to make time. Doing something recreational, relaxing your mind, taking it off all the other worries and stresses of the day—that is what I'm talking about in a hobby. Granted, most of us don't have time to take up golf or tennis, but we can probably find time to take an evening pottery class once a week or join a quilting group that meets twice a month.

Someone mentioned the idea of volunteering as a docent at a local museum, or finding a ceramics shop where you can go and paint ceramic figures for fun and gift giving. Just find a fun activity, no matter how small, that will take your mind off of your day-to-day cares.

Stay tuned right here for the next “Taking Care of YOU” post in just a few days!

Blessings,

Amanda B.

Boats, Boys and Dreams

Sipping my coffee this morning, I am remembering the time our son, then age 9, told us that he hoped to get a boat someday so he could go fishing on the river. A boat? For a 9-year-old? My husband and I talked about it over several early-morning coffee sessions. This was our quiet, never-ask-for-anything child, and he clearly was taking a step out of his shell to bring this up. Praying over it, I still was unsure about the next step.

A few days later, my husband came home, all smiles. He had heard about an old motorboat that needed both body and motor work before it would be seaworthy, and the seller was asking a ridiculously low price—a low enough price that we could buy it and there would be just a bit of rebuilding money in the budget. I don't recall ever seeing our son smile so big or get so excited as the morning they went to pick up their new treasure, the gate to one of his dreams.

They spent many a weeknight and weekend working on that boat, rebuilding, poring over library how-to books and then trying out the ideas on their dream boat. They were busy building and learning so much—about boats and motors, and about each other. Most important of all, they were strengthening their relationship, one that is strong and continues to grow even today.

The boat? They finished it, launched it, and still tell stories and laugh about their adventures with that very special red boat. 

What idea or question has YOUR child mentioned?

Blessings -

Amanda B.

PS - Check out our Specials Page for some great suggestions to help answer their questions and pursue their dreams!

Unwind and Recharge!

Needing a breath of fresh air for your homeschooling as you unwind this summer?

 I know exactly how you feel--I have been there myself, many times. One of the best things that I have found for recharging my batteries is to read homeschool magazines, because they are MY professional journals.

Home School Enrichment has been on my list, published by the Lewis family, a multigenerational homeschool family. I have been impressed and encouraged with their articles and the depth of the coverage of all kinds of things that help homeschooling families!

I recently had the pleasure of meeting Matthew and Jonathan Lewis, and it was wonderful to meet them in person, as well as their beautiful families! 

Check out their magazine and be prepared to be impressed and encouraged. They have offered our customers a terrific discounted subscription price, only $15 for a one-year subscription (a 58% off discount)!  Home School Enrichment Magazine is for YOU!  

Land, Air, Sea - Let's Go!

By car, boat, rail, or air, this week's specials are sure to get your family in motion! These five featured studies are nothing short of moving.

This week - buy 5 studies and get an additional $5 off

(buy the 5 titles on sale this week, and you save even more!)

Download N Go - K-4, 1 week - $4
Amelia Earhart

Unit Study Adventure - K-12, 4 week - $5
Auto Racing, Sailing Ships, Flight, Trains

Don't forget to download your FREE Interactive Planning Tools to help you get ready for the best year ever!


The Build a Year Planner - Just fill in the blanks and your planning is done!

USA Product List - Want to keep track of which units are on your wish list? Simply click on each title to learn more.

Best of all - you can download both of these tools onto your mobile device and take them with you wherever you are speeding off to!



Blessings,
Amanda B.

PS - You don't want to miss this!  We have a NEW  Bible Study coming soon, and it's the perfect companion to Olympics 2012.  Introduce your children to some of the amazing Athletes in the Bible. Learn about their trials, challenges, and victories and how they apply to the lives of young athletes today.

Taking Care of You - Part One

We hug them, love them, teach them, and share with them, wiping away tears, assuring them that monsters are not in the closet or under the bed, even helping them through algebra. We are our children's caretakers, and we care for them so deeply and completely that we sometimes forget to care for ourselves. If we get too stretched out and burned out, we aren't as effective at taking care of others.

One of the things that I learned through my early years of homeschooling and being a full-time mom was that I had to take care of MOM first. One of the best analogies for this is the statement that is made when you are going through the safety talk before takeoff on an airplane: when the oxygen masks drop in an emergency, the adult should put her mask on first, then assist the child with his. We can't help our child if we are incapacitated—that's my interpretation. And this holds true in all that we do, particularly when it comes to parental well-being and the individual feeling of fulfillment.

Over the next few weeks I’ll be posting ideas for keeping you—the wife, the mom, the teacher—fresh and at your best. Here we go:

1.      Take time to make time. Begin by blocking off an hour each week that is YOUR time, no exceptions. Even if you go and sit in the library and read a magazine, just go!

 I learned early in my adventures at home that I had to make time for myself. I would have one night a week that I would go to the library, without the children, to read and enjoy the silence! It can be so difficult to make time for ourselves; there are so many other pressing needs that get in line ahead of our own. Just as in days gone by when folks would talk about having to "prime the pump" to get it working, we parents are the same way. We have to read, rest, relax, and get some “alone time.” We have to refill our own wells from time to time, re-priming the pump so that we are at our best.

Stay tuned right here for the next “Taking Care of YOU” post in just a few days!

Blessings,

Amanda B.

Milky Way, Shooting Stars and Memories

 

One of the first things that we learned about summer nights in the country was that the Milky Way was directly overhead, and that it was HUGE! Having moved here to the dark nights of the Appalachian Mountains from the bright city lights of Florida, we were stunned to find out what we had been missing. Once we added a telescope, we were totally hooked. God’s creation was never easier to see, and the thrill of watching the night skies has never lessened.

Since those early discoveries, we have made it a top priority to watch the evening skies with our children. From meteor showers to passing comets, we have made great use of the night sky news from sources like www.SpaceWeather.com.

Another discovery that we made by watching the sky was that we could actually spot satellites as they passed overhead. We watched many shuttles, the International Space Station, and many other satellites tumble in and out of the sunlight, and what a thrill that was! We spent many a night outside on the picnic table, watching for shooting stars and satellites, and we have made so many memories.

Pick a night and head outside. Your children can learn things like knowing how to find the North Star and the constellations and so much more. No electricity required--just go outdoors with your crew, and watch creation fly by!

Blessings,

Amanda B.

PS - You can pick up some great Outdoor Adventures this week on our Specials Page!

A Day in Pompeii

Recently I had the great pleasure of visiting the Cincinnati Museum's A Day in Pompeii exhibit. What a great museum housed in a uniquely designed building!

 

Here I am, getting ready to head off on my trip back in time and around the globe to Pompeii, AD 79!

It's easy to see the Roman influence on Pompeii. From the architecture to the weaponry of gladiators, Rome's influence was strong. Look at the detail in this helmet and these shin guards.

What an inspiration it was to see so many items from daily life in Bible times.  Here is a common oil lamp which is probably similar to the lamp we learn about in Psalm 119:105:  "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path."

There were so many artifacts, amazingly preserved by the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius. Look at these beautiful red clay bowls. These are believed to have been imported to Pompeii from France (called Gaul at that time) and would have been some of the finest serving pieces of the household.

This glazed ceramic plate is thought to have been imported from the Middle East during the first half of the first century AD - the same time period as when the disciples were spreading the Gospel through this region.  Wow!

From tableware to jewelry, there were a surprising amount and variety of items in beautiful condition. This pretty blue necklace is made of glass paste and was an affordable alternative for women who couldn't afford gold jewelry.

This gold rope-chain necklace and armbands don't really look like they're 2000-year-old pieces, do they? It's easy to imagine seeing these in a jewelry store case today.

There were several wall murals and city models which really gave you the feel for the size and complexity of the city. You could just imagine the busy markets and homes filled with people going about their daily lives, not knowing the danger that lurked so nearby.

If you're in the Cincinnati area before the exhibit moves on in August, don't miss the chance to peek back into life almost 2000 years ago, as well as gain a better understanding of the awesome power of volcanoes.

Blessings,

Amanda B.

PS. Don't miss the sale on the Volatile Volcanoes DNG this week!

Join us on a Great Adventure!

Get ready to take off on some great, outdoor adventures, while enjoying out-of-this-world savings this week! We've got five, new titles on sale, perfect for inspiring long walks, stargazing, and appreciation of God's miraculous creation!

This week - buy 5 studies and get an additional $5 off

(buy the 5 titles on sale this week, and you save even more!)

Download N Go - K-4, 1 week - $4
Volatile Volcanoes, Magnificent Moon, Tremendous Trees, Twisting Tornadoes

Unit Study Adventure - K-12, 4 week - $5
Gardens

Don't forget to download your FREE Interactive Planning Tools to help you get ready for the best year ever!


The Build a Year Planner - Just fill in the blanks and your planning is done!

USA Product List - Want to keep track of which units are on your wish list? Simply click on each title to learn more.

Best of all - you can download both of these tools onto your mobile device and take them with you wherever you go!



Blessings,
Amanda B.

PS -   Don't miss the special savings codes for Olympics 2012 popping up on our USAB Facebook page, you'll have to be fast!  Have you gotten your FREE Olympics Lapbook yet? - our Olympics Facebook Co-op starts July 30th!

Father's Day is Here Again!

Father’s Day is here again, and I am so thankful for my husband – also known as “Dad” to our children. He’s a strong man, both physically and emotionally, yet he is also the most tenderhearted in our house at times.

 

He is a hard worker, working long hours to provide for us, sometimes running on coffee and prayer – facing a to-do list that never ends.

 

He is the go-to guy for all things broken, whether a Lego project, a bicycle, or a tree house project that needs his touch. In our children’s eyes, Dad can fix anything. J

He shows his love by doing, by caring, and by hard work. It isn’t surprising to find him staying up late in the night, caring for a sick animal, knowing that his alarm will still go off before dawn.

He has always been the first out the door when a neighbor needs help. He has truly been this dad:

"My father didn't tell me how to live; he lived, and let me watch him do it." Clarence B. Kelland

Today is the day that we celebrate fathers, and I hope that you and your crew take a minute to think about all that Dad does. Sometimes the best gifts are given as life lessons by setting the example - just doing what needs to be done, with love and care and no expectation of thanks.

Happy Father’s Day to all of the dads that we hold near and dear in our hearts!

Blessings,

Amanda B.

And Then I Met Winter the Dolphin!

Do you know who Winter the dolphin is? Well, I do, and during a recent trip to Florida, I got to see Winter and plenty of other rescued sea animals at the Clearwater Aquarium! As we approached it, I couldn't believe the lines and lines of people, all waiting to get into the aquarium, and most of them were there to see Winter. As we waited our turn in line, we went past some very interesting signs that let me know that Winter is a very "social media" kind of animal--she is on both Facebook AND Twitter!

As we moved along in line, we stood by a very interesting rescue van--remember the one in the movie Dolphin Tale?

Once we entered the aquarium, we were greeted with a VERY toothy grin!

Then we moved on through walls of fish of all kinds--all were smiling, of course!

Once we moved through the aquarium walls and displays, it was up the steps and on to the world of outdoor tanks, where injured and recovering sea animals live and play. This sea turtle LOVED my camera and kept coming right up to my feet for a picture--see him smile? He was adorable!

The story of Winter's real rescue is a bit different than the one told in the movie, and we learned so much from the trainers as we walked along the tanks of several dolphins. I learned SO much. As the trainers work with the dolphin, they are actually doing physical therapy!

I didn't know this--Winter only wears the artificial tail when she is having therapy. Here she is in her own tank. She swims around this tank without her tail, and she jumps up on a float when she needs to take a break! :)

Winter is a beautiful dolphin with a wonderful story and message for all, and I had a FANTASTIC day! Dolphins are such beautiful animals, and kids are captivated with them--so anxious to learn more and see how they swim, and to watch them smile. :)

Just another piece of God's amazing creation, and the tale of a dolphin not to be missed!

Blessings,

Amanda B.

P.S. Don't miss the sale on the Dolphin Days DNG this week!

Swimming with the Manatee

No, this has nothing to do with swimming when I was pregnant, really! We used to go spend an occasional Saturday down at a cool inlet on the east coast of Florida, taking along lunches and our camper and just totally unplugging from society. My husband and I loved it, and the kids were pretty sure that these days were the best they had ever spent. The cove was quite protected from the Atlantic surf, and gave us a safe and fairly shallow place for the kids to play.

One day, when we were all out swimming in the cove, a huge animal nose popped up between my husband and one of our boys, whiskers and all! The water was probably about five or six feet deep, and clear. No one panicked as we slowly gathered the kids together in one circle, not too far from the curious face that had surfaced along with the whiskered nose. VERY cool—we were being watched by a manatee! We just stayed still and watched it swim around us. It was kind of like appearing in the tank with one in Sea World, and we loved every minute of it.

The same thing happened on several occasions over the years, and we still talk about how much fun it was to swim with the manatee. We came home after that first visit and went to the library to learn all we could about manatees—lessons for a lifetime!

Blessings,

Amanda B.

 

PS - Don't miss the opportunity to "Head to the Beach" this week with our Specials and catch some great deals on learning adventures they'll never forget!

 

Heading for the Beach with USAB!

Picture a sunny beach, lapping waves, bare feet, and your children walking along a shore!  

Remember the first time you "heard" the ocean in a seashell, or felt the sand shift beneath your feet as the surf washed by? Children learn so much when at the ocean, from sand castle building and the thrill of watching a hermit crab take a stroll around a tidal pool, to the sight of a breaching whale and the playful rolling of dolphins in the waves.  The ocean and beach are teeming with life and full of adventure just waiting for you and your children to discover!

This week - buy 5 studies and get an additional $5 off

(buy the 5 titles on sale this week, and you save even more!)

Download N Go - K-4, 1 week - $4

Sunny Seashells, Dolphin Days, Whale Tales

Unit Study Adventure - K-12, 4 week - $5

Oceans, Lighthouses

Don't forget to download your FREE Interactive Planning Tools to help you get ready for the best year ever!


The Build a Year Planner  - Just fill in the blanks and your planning is done! 

USA Product List - Want to keep track of which units are on your wish list?  Simply click on each title to learn more.

Best of all - you can download both of these tools onto your mobile device and take them with you to the beach!


Blessings,
Amanda B.


PS - Are you excited to join the world celebration beginning soon?  Olympics 2012 is right around the corner, and we'd love to share it with you during our Facebook Coop be sure save your spot now.  Don't miss the special savings codes popping up on our USAB Facebook page,  you'll have to be fast!

Doing it Right for Dad!

Special Price of $4 for this Weekend!

 

Father's Day is June 17th, it's time to celebrate all the wonderful ways fathers add to our days!

Dads are so important to families, and Father's Day provides a chance for children to learn more about their dad and recognize all that he does for them.

From some of the fathers in the Bible to the history of Father's Day, this study is rich with lessons in character, appreciation, and love.


Day 1: What Is Father's Day?
Day 2: The History of Father's Day
Day 3: Celebrating Father's Day
Day 4: Preparing for Father's Day
Day 5: Goodies for Father's Day

Celebrate Dad with this memory-making study!

Take a peek inside this unit.

Here’s what homeschooling parents are saying about Father's Day:   “Shhhhhhhhhhhhh don't tell my kids this is part of school!    It is filled with crafts and activities for children to try and learn - I love these studies because they go beyond your basic educational learning - they get imprinted in my children's mind and they take some of the treasured activities and learning in their hearts for the rest of their lives. With the Father's Day Unit Study, my children will learn just how hard a daddy's job is to do! Things I loved about this study: I loved the history behind Father's Day ~ some things that I don't think I even knew before! I also liked that it showed how different people celebrated it ~ whether it was New Zealand, Finland or even my home Canada! As usual there are fabulous activities and celebratory ideas in this book that were so much fun, it was hard to choose what to try! I'm excited and will use this Unit Study for a few years just to get out of it all there is with my children! It was much more fun and a treat than feeling like school work! In fact I think a lot of these crafts and activities could be adapted for church group activities, preschool, or just plain fun (even if they are educational! ~shhhhh just don't tell my kids! They think I'm just brilliantly creative!)” —Amy Cruson, Sask, Canada Sale price is valid through 6/9/12

Fast. Simple. Savings.

The Interactive Build a Year Planner is designed to help make your weekly planning effortless. This simple planning tool is interactive - you can type directly into the planner! Simply enter titles for each week of the school year in the weekly planning boxes. Use the Planner's wish list to keep track of the titles you need. Finally,check them off as you take advantage of sales throughout the summer!  The Intereactive USAB Product List is another tool designed to help your planning be effortless. It is a printable product listing you can use to keep track of the studies you have, and those you would like to add to your wish list. Click on any title and you can find out more details about that study.  These tools are our gift to you.  Download the FREE Intereactive Build a Year Planner and the FREE Interactive USAB Product List, decide which studies are right for your student(s), save your changes and/or print them out for later reference.  We are here to help you to create a custom year of unit study adventures, perfect for your family.

PLUS--In the months of June and July, when you buy 10 studies in one month, we'll give you one free in the next month; when you buy 15 studies in one month, we'll give you two free in the next month! Get ready for the best school year yet . . . with Unit Studies by Amanda Bennett

Fast. Simple. Savings.

Let the Learning Run Wild!

Hunting down interesting facts and amusements found among God's magnificent creatures is an exciting way to learn!

We've got five, wild titles on sale this week; capture these savings before they're extinct:

Download N Go - K-4, 1 week - $4

Creation Camouflage,  Astonishing Animals , Terrific Tigers,  Goofy Gecko

Unit Study Advetures - K-12, 4 week - $5

Dogs 

And our Buy 5, Save $5 offer continues one more week! Now is a great time to stock up for the next school year . . .    

Our summer savings favorite, in the months of June and July, when you buy 10 studies in one month, we'll give you one free in the next month; when you buy 15 studies in one month, we'll give you two free in the next month!

Let’s have fun with the math… if you buy all 5 of this week’s great sale titles – you get 8 weeks of your year planned for just $16!  Do the same in an upcoming week and you could have a semester planned out, not to mentioned downloaded, ready, and waiting to go!  Best of all, you’ll earn a FREE unit next month!   (purchase 15 units, and you could earn -  2 FREE units!)

If you haven't picked it up yet, get your FREE Build a Year Planner. It's our gift to you; download it today and check out how easy it is to put together your next school year. Watch the savings pile up as we offer new specials each week! Enter titles for each week of the school year in the weekly planning boxes, use the Planner's wish list to keep track of the titles you need, then check them off as you take advantage of sales throughout the summer!

Blessings,

Amanda B.

PS - I hope you're planning to join us for the Olympics 2012 Facebook Co-op - starting July 30.  Until then, stay tuned to our Facebook page where you may be lucky enough to catch a great savings code!