It's Time to Party! DNG is turning 3!

Hurray! It's time to PARTY! We are marking the third birthday of the Download N Go series with some serious savings and fun. After three years, this series has grown to more than 50 titles of favorite topics and places, and it's time to share in the celebration!

Don't miss a single day--each will have its own dynamic deals--make sure to visit us daily!

Let's get the party started!

Today Only
Get these Download N Go studies for only $3 each  

Whale Tales, Bountiful Bread, Kite Capers

  Don't miss your chance!

 Birthday Bonanza Download N Go is now available-- 

 Just $5 all week long.

We're thanking YOU, our customer, 
every day this week!

Each day this week we'll be selecting three customers who made purchases during the previous day to receive a $10 USAB gift coupon. Use it now, save it for later, or give it to a friend!

 Come back tomorrow--we'll announce the daily winners right here! (check your Inbox as well!)

Created in His Image

Children come into this world with insatiable curiosity, a magnificent imagination, and creativity as unique as their fingerprints. Creativity is one of those gifts that I believe God has given us, since He created us “in His image.” It can open the door to all of the treasures and abilities that He placed within us.

Some children will be more interested in the great outdoors, while others will want to read any book within reach. Others will struggle with handwriting, while taking your breath away with their pencil sketches along the margins of their journal.

There are many kinds of interests that can help reveal gifts and talents. You may follow some interests around the world and back again, only to discover that what they were most interested in at the age of five (fireman) is exactly what they will pursue as they reach adulthood.

As I look back at some of my favorite homeschooling mementos from over the years, I am stunned at how creative our children were in such unique ways, and at how much we all might have learned if I’d been a little more creative in helping them grow. Relax and stay open. You’ve got room to roam with them, and plenty to explore!

Blessings,

Amanda B.

Satellites and Stars and Bonfires

You know those moments you wish you could just capture and sear in your mind and heart forever? After many years of marriage and motherhood, I’ve discovered that I have to watch for those bits of heaven and make a concerted effort to trap them in my mind, detail by detail. One of the most vivid memories like this was our first big autumn bonfire that we had after moving to the farm.

Having moved from the city, the lessons of the night way out in the Appalachians amazed us. From the wild and wonderful orchestra of hooting owls to the discovery of the broad sweep of the Milky Way overhead on clear nights, we were hooked. Other people buy or build picnic tables for use as tables; we bought some to use as night observatories. With sleeping bags, binoculars, and a telescope, we learned so much.

That first bonfire event taught us even more. As the fire slowly died down, we were all sky watching, when suddenly we saw a bright object tumble across the night sky. It was not a jet or anything else that we could identify, and it seemed to go in and out of light. My brother was visiting that weekend, and he explained that we were watching a satellite cross the sky and tumble in and out of the light of the sun as it orbited the earth.

 

As much as our kids had learned about space when we lived near Cape Canaveral, it had never really occurred to them that many of the satellites that we watched launch through the atmosphere were still up there, circling the earth, and that we could actually see them! That whole discussion and the “wow” on their faces are memories that I captured and hold in my heart. We still have weekend bonfires when they are home on cold nights and still try to be the first to see a satellite tumbling overhead. And the lessons just keep coming. ☺

Blessings,

Amanda B.

Ready to set out on your own adventure? Check out our special savings this week!

Ride the Wave of Adventure

"Mom, look at THIS!"

"Hey Mom, you aren't going to believe what we found!"

"Mom, please come look at this--what is it?"
 

I don't know about you, but I have heard these calls so many times over the years, and they still make me smile. From seashells to lizards, rocks to caterpillars, kids love to explore and wonder about everything. They love to share their finds and learn more about them, and they never forget what they learn this way. They were created full of curiosity and wonder--and that's your starting point.

Whether you've got older kids clamoring to watch the night skies with a telescope or younger ones asking for the binoculars to see the moon, I've written these studies to span the K - 12 range. Using unit studies to explore the corners of the universe makes the learning:

• Lasting
• Exciting
• Memorable
• And oh so inviting!

 

From wild animals to pet dogs, from pioneers to thundering trains, the list of topics to pursue with USAB studies has now grown to 77! Wow--that should help add some fun and excitement to your homeschooling. You bring the curiosity, we'll bring the learning fun!

 

 

To help you with their explorations, we've got some fun titles on special that cover a range of grades, from K - 12. Also, we are bringing back the very popular Buy 5, Save $5 More offer that you don't want to miss!

Blessings,

Amanda B.

P.S. Watch your email for a BIG announcement later this week. You will NOT want to miss this!


Join us for USAB adventures throughout the week via Facebook and Twitter. "Like" USAB on Facebook or follow #KidsExplore on Twitter to find and share more fun ideas!

 

Don't miss this fantastic giveaway . . .

This week our friends at Home Science Tools have generously donated a $50 gift card for our giveaway!

Founded in 1994, Home Science Tools is a resource for parents, teachers, and kids who want a better experience with hands-on science. Frank and Debbie Schaner started the company when they realized the difficulty finding the right supplies for doing science at home with their four children. Since then, they've been committed to making science both fun and accessible for families and classrooms. While Home Science Tools' microscopes have been its top-seller since their introduction 10 years ago, the company also offers one of the most comprehensive selections of science supplies online. For a free catalog, please visit: www.homesciencetools.com.

Autumn Traditions at Our House

With cooler nights and shortening days, we are gradually moving to our autumn traditions and activities, and enjoying every moment. The list-making begins for the projects that we enjoy—making gifts, preparing special treats that will keep in the freezer, and coming up with ideas to bless others and meet their needs. From making blankets for the abused children’s shelter to helping stock the local food bank, there have been so many great service projects that started on autumn evenings around the fire.

We created our traditions when our children were very young, building them up as time went on. We lived far from family and grandparents, and we wanted our children to have family traditions to treasure and savor in the years ahead.

Autumn is a great time to kick off a few new traditions in your own family. From autumn star-watching to s’mores over a campfire—the possibilities are there, waiting!

Blessings,

Amanda B.

Autumn Has Arrived – Finally!

Happy autumn! At long last, autumn is here, the leaves are beginning to change, and we have already made a trip to the apple orchard. The cider is sweet and the apples are perfect, and our hearts help get our minds ready for a new season. Planning, learning, and investigating receive more of our attention—along with projects around the farm and the need to split and stack firewood to get ready for cooler weather.

We have many traditions that have developed over the years for season changes, and a toasty morning fire after the weather turns cool is a fun one. We also collect gourds, pumpkins, and squash that are the end-of-season garden picks for Dad to make a fall sculpture down the driveway to greet our guests. This is a big tradition in our area of the country. People work on some amazing autumn lawn displays from their produce, mixing in chrysanthemums and other autumn treasures. It is fun to cruise the country roads to see the creations.

What kind of autumn traditions do you and your family enjoy? Come on, share!

Blessings,

Amanda B.


PS - Don't miss our Autumn Kickoff this week, we have great deals on our fall favorites!

Seasons are changing, time to kick up some autumn fun . . .

 

 

What special memories of autumn have you made with your children? This season is full of treasures--start exploring them today!

 

Cool, crisp mornings, vibrantly colored leaves raining down, the delicious scent of fresh applesauce simmering in the slow-cooker, and weekend football games in the yard . . . these are the things that say autumn to me. 


Begin building family memories of your own with a few studies that are perfect for this time of year. Autumn Treasures and Tremendous Trees open your eyes to the wonders of this special time of year and help young children understand how God designed some trees to put on a dazzling display for us. Then spend a week with Football Frenzy so even the youngest members of the family can play along or follow a favorite team. And Digital Photography will help you document your family's fun throughout the year.

Children grow up so quickly--start making autumn memories today!

Blessings,
Amanda B.

P.S. Wish you could be here in the kitchen with me to smell this delicious applesauce that is simmering in my slow cooker! Here's the recipe if you want to try it out at your house: Crock Pot Applesauce. Join in on more fall fun throughout the week -- "Like" USAB on Facebook or follow #FallFun on Twitter to find and share more autumn ideas!