The Radical Book For Kids

Watching my children grow in their knowledge and love of Christ has been the most rewarding and humbling experience. I have never felt so powerless but also so responsible?! Titus is turning 6 soon and I'm constantly asking myself, how do I encourage his faith to take root?

The Radical Book For Kids was written for kids like ours, for parents like us. This book is specifically for kids 8-14th but I read many of the relevant pages to my kids.

The aim of the book is to look at the "ancient roots of our faith". This book has a ton of content. It explores many different areas of knowledge from science to archeology. There is a section about how to read stories from the Bible and one about how to make a sling like David. It goes deep into numerous passages of the Bible and looks at martyrs of the faith. It is serious and studious but also at times really fun and silly. Above all it keeps the focus on Christ and your relationship with Him.

Because the book is divided into short sections (2-4 pages usually) it works great to read as a devotional with the kids. I usually flip through and find a topic that stands out and read it. We pull it out  during lunch or morning time. For readers they can start wherever they are interested. The book all has a similar theme, but doesn't need to be read from start to finish. It's fun to bounce around in. There are also some activities to do with your kids, like make pottery or a sundial.

I can guarantee that your kids will learn something from this book because I certainly have. I find myself constantly thinking "hey, I didn't know that!". The pages are full of bright, beautiful pictures that really enhances the content. The kids insist on sitting on either side of me while I read, so they get the best view of the pages. I also want to mention how lovely the cover is. The letterpressed writing, the gold, just beautiful. It's a sturdy book and very well designed. All around, from content to design, this is a book you don't want to miss.

Thank you to Litfuse for the chance to review this book!

Around Our House Week 1

Every time I blink this little girl has changed and grown. I'm not sure where the tiny little baby went, but I am sure enjoying this sweet 8 month old. She loves going on walks with her siblings on brisk Autumn afternoons. We walk past the last of the apples, holding onto the trees, half rotten, We always check to see how high the creek is rising and how full each puddle is. Finally, when noses are pink and cheeks are icy we head back to the house.

I am so enjoying seeing some of the fruit of all the work Titus has put into learning to read this year. He has been really dedicated, even when I want to groan at the sight of How to Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons. I love writing little not to him, and getting notes in return.

The days are so short and rainy I have been sending them out to play whenever there is a break in the weather, and sometimes when there is not. Warm coats and dry boots make a little rain a bit more bearable. These wet and muddy afternoons have created plenty of memories and dirty laundry!

Smart Games Party

I just love when I get the chance to host Tryazon parties. Recently I got the chance to host a Smart Games party! The quality and educational value of these games truly exceeded my expectations.

I like to keep a few games around for the kids to play during quiet moments. It's great for when I need to work with one child for school, I can have the other one keeping their hands busy with a game. It minimizes distractions for the child who is actively trying to learn and keeps the other one happy and entertained- no screens necessary.

What I really liked about these games was the degree of educational value and entertainment. Not only did all of the kids at the party enjoy playing them, but these are a superb brain workout. These games were just different than a lot of games I have seen out there, They are also all relatively small and self contained. I hate losing game pieces and trying to store big game boxes, All three games would work in the car or slipped in a purse.

 The IQ XOXO game is for ages 6 and up. This is a multi-level logic game, so there are many levels of difficulty that can be played. With 120 puzzles there is something to stump just about anybody. You set up the pieces as the book shows you and then try and fit the rest of the pieces in around them. It's actually pretty challenging and fun. The game is all enclosed in the clear case and it's perfect for travel. I liked  that the pieces the child wasn't using could rest in the open lid and not fall out onto the floor of the car.

My kids love this Busy Bugs Magnetic Travel game. It's ages 7+ but also has many different levels of difficulty. You move the magnetic pieces around make the bugs match the pictures. I actually had fun trying to figure a few of these out, it's not as easy as it looks! Like the other games its compact and this one closes up like a book. I think I will keep this in my purse for the kids to play on the road or in waiting rooms.

The final game is called Ghost Hunters.

This game is for 6+ and has 60 challenges. This one is a lot of fun and a really creative game. You move the different tiles around to shine your flashlight of the different ghosts. The pieces all have to fit just right to solve the puzzle. The base of the game holds all the puzzle papers. The  container that holds it all is super sturdy and the lid stays snapped shut when you want it too.

I was really happy with the quality of all of these games. They are well designed and all the details have been thought out to make them portable and fun to play. After trying these I put a few more Smart Games games on the Christmas list!