A Perfect Summer Read!

I recently had the opportunity to review Courting Miss Amsel by Kim Vogel Sawyer for Bethany House Publishers.  Now, I say "recently" but, as my loyal readers all know, now happens recently in the House of Sprout!  I have had this book on my nightstand for about three months, waiting for the time when I could read a complete sentence without interruption...again, the reason things take so long in our house!

Luckily (for my sanity and your knowledge of this book!), summer has arrived!  This is one of two times that I actually get to finish a book.  The other is the week between Christmas and New Year's, when we visit family that have no television in the room we stay in!

Courting Miss Amsel is a Christian fiction novel that grabs you from the first chapter.  The main character, Edythe is an older first-year teacher in a small town one-room schoolhouse.  She shares her love of learning with her students through unusual methods that raise the eyebrows of several town leaders.  While she earns the respect and love of most students, one child tests her classroom management skills...as any teacher (myself included!) can sympathize with!  Add in to all this, family dramas, a search for a relationship with God, and a budding romance...and this book has captured it all!

So if you are looking for a book to relax and enjoy while sitting on the beach, by the pool, or on the couch (at night after the kids are asleep!), then I highly recommend this book.  I'm actually on my way to "google" the author and find more of her works to fill the rest of my summer!

Review: God's Wisdom for Mothers

Let my mouth be filled with Your praise

         And with Your glory all the day.

                                                        Psalm 71:8

Booksneeze gave me the opportunity to review this perfect little gift book for mothers...and just in time to start planning Mother's Day gifts!  I struggle to find a quality chunk of time each day to spend in the study of God's word...my children always seem to have more immediate needs.  This collection provides the perfect boost for even my worst day!  When I'm having a down moment, it's a quick resource to turn to as a quick reminder that I am not in this alone. 

I have also found the collection to provide an excellent resource for those times when you are look for that perfect verse to include in a note, card, or blog post.  The variety of verses meets the needs of multiple purposes.

So as you think ahead to Mother's Day, I recommend checking out this resource!

A Review of "Adventures in Boogabooga Land"

I recently had the opportunity to join the community of "BookSneeze" which provides bloggers with books and video to review and share their thoughts about.  I loved that it had a strong Christian background and that the site was simple to navigate.  I look forward to working more with them in the future!

For my first review, I chose a DVD for my children...knowing that my quiet reading time is limited at this point in my life and during the busy winter months!  When "Adventures in Boogabooga Land" arrived, my kids couldn't wait to pop in the DVD player!  This DVD is published by Thomas Nelson and it contains three episodes: 1. Squid Sushi loses his Marbles, ‘The lost Pearl’, 2. Wally the Waiter, ‘The Soil and the Seeds’ 3. The Flaming Monkey, ‘The Wedding Banquet’ The viewing time is approximately 45 minutes.

This DVD is published by Thomas Nelson and it contains three episodes: 1. Squid Sushi loses his Marbles, ‘The Lost Pearl’, 2. Wally the Waiter, ‘The Soil and the Seeds’ 3. The Flaming Monkey, ‘The Wedding Banquet’ The viewing time is approximately 45 minutes.

My children sat and didn't move the entire time!  I was amazed at how it held their attention and I was thrilled with the bible stories they were learning.  In fact, when "The Flaming Monkey" ended, there were actually tears because there were no more stories.  Judging from my children's reactions and how many times we have watched it since...I think we will be purchasing a few more of these movies!

Disclosure: I received this DVD free from Thomas Nelson Publishers through BookSneeze.com as part of their Book Review Blogger program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Rainbow Brite is Back!

Remember this shot from a few days ago?

And remember how I wondered who these children were?

Well, here is my secret! Shhhhh!

I recently received the new Rainbow Brite CD to review with Tater. It was one of those things I kept putting off because the computer is MY territory and I did not want to share! But last week when it rained and rained, I was desperate and grabbed for the CD. I prepared myself for hours of slowly explaining how to work everything - from the mouse to the printer - but was I in for a treat! Tater hopped on the chair, grabbed the mouse and began clicking away! She loved it! She has played the puzzles, made art pages, printed coloring pages, and jumped for stars in the games...while I had the peace and quiet I needed to make dinner! Not only that, she has learned all the characters, begged to buy a Moon Glow doll with her birthday money, and has even shared her game with her brother!

Pros:

• age appropriate
• attention-holding
• bright and colorful
• very interactive
• music is entertaining without being bothersome
• activities are rewarding when completed - with music and graphics

Cons:

• unable to load a desktop shortcut (which would help for when Tater shuts the program down accidentally!)
• unable to lock the printer off - so my ink doesn't run out!

And, on a final note, we had a fabulous fifth birthday party for Tater on Saturday and decided to share our CDs with our guests...and what a hit! There are girly girls all over town playing Rainbow Brite and living in the land of rainbows and unicorns!

Disclosure: I was given 10 copies of the Rainbow Bright CD to review with my family and share with our friends. I was not compensated financially for this review.