10 Ways to Use Advent Calendars All Year

 We love advent calendars in our house and with the addition of the Thames & Kosmos Science Advent Calendar, I thought I'd share some ways we've used them and some ideas for them. 

1. Countdown to the last day of school

2. Countdown to birthdays

3. Waiting for vacation

4. Counting down to the first day of school

5. Random "just because" surprises

6. Rewards for goals. We used one for getting the kids to clean up their rooms each day. I had gotten a couple on sale after Christmas and if they cleaned their room, they got to choose a window. 

7. Rainy day activities

8. Boredom busters

9. Bring them out when friends are over and let each choose a window/ box

10. Advent calendars are also great to keep on hand to throw a "day" in a bag for a car trip, appointment, or restaurant. 

The key is keeping them for a special event or reward. 

What would you use an advent calendar for? 

Thames & Kosmos: Science for Fun and School

Disclaimer: I received products to review. All opinions are my own. 

In our house, science is something we are passionate about. We have random science discussions, watch videos, find experiments, and even discuss how science relates to the Bible. This is something I got from my dad. My dad loved science and passed that on to me and encouraged it with his grandkids. 

Tbomb (13 now) wants to be an archaeologist/ paleontologist who is a game developer in his spare time. Snapper (10 now) wants to be a marine biologist/ surfer who travels the world to teach people about misunderstood animals (like pangolins and sharks) and invent things in her spare time. Looks like science is their future. 

I've bought Thames & Kosmos products since my kids were small. We got the awesome opportunity to explore a dig kit and advent calendar from their product line and we dug right in. 

Science Advent Calendar

We love advent calendars (stay tuned for new ways to use them) in our house, so this is a win-win. There are 24 experiments in 24 different boxes. This is by far my favorite advent calendar and we've had many. 

It looks incredibly cool too! 

Each box has the goal of the experiment, directions, and an explanation printed on the box. The materials needed are inside the box as well. You may need some household materials like a blow dryer, vinegar, and baking soda. Just be sure to keep all the provided items in the boxes until it is finished- you may need something for another experiment. 

We did 3 experiments the first day and they didn't want to stop. They are quick experiments too, which is nice, and love that they are a complete science lesson and the start of so many rabbit trails. 

Purchase here

I Dig It! Fossils

We also love dig kits around here. The kids always get a new one to take camping and get some throughout the year. This is the first Thames & Kosmos one we've had and I could not be more impressed. The tools that come with them are actually quality tools that can be used over and over. I love that the plaster is contained within a dish. (here's a tip for dig kits- keep cafeteria trays on hand for messy science projects.).

The instructions and tips are phenomenal. There are even directions for creating a display box for your finds. Each kit comes with 5 real fossils - Fenestella, Atrypa Shell, Fossilized Resin, Ammonite, and Stony Coral. The booklet includes information on the fossils as well as a section about what fossils are. I love the tips included in the booklet on how to dig like a real archaeologist. 

Such a wonderful kit and I cannot wait to explore the other kits offered by Thames & Kosmos. 

Purchase here

Thames & Kosmos

Thames & Kosmos is my go-to when looking for science supplements for school and for gifts. 

No matter a child's interest, you can find a fun option for them. 

Thames & Kosmos was founded in 2001 when a Rhode Island science museum director and her son partnered with a 200-year old German publishing house to help fulfill the great need for science education materials that were more stimulating, effective, relevant – and of course, fun!

For the past 22 years, we have dedicated ourselves to that mission, publishing and distributing toys and games that are both engaging and educational. We believe that authentic learning experiences combined with hands-on exploration are a powerful way to captivate curious young minds, and to keep them hungry for knowledge as they continue their journey into adulthood. Whether it’s building a robot, playing a board game, or performing a magic trick, we strive for our products empower kids to take risks, experiment, innovate, cooperate, problem-solve, and embrace the process of trial-and-error. 

 

10 Tips for Outdoor Events with Kids

This past weekend, we took the kids and my mom to Tiger Drive-In, in Tiger, Georgia. We saw Kong x Godzilla. Let me tell you- it was AH-MAH-ZING. The first of the movies I have actually sat through. Now, I want to see the others. It was my mom's 60th birthday and it was a wonderful celebration. 

We had the best time and the experience was just as wonderful as the movie. I had never been to a drive-in before and neither had the kids. This is something we will always remember. Of course, I took lots of pictures. 

I wanted to share some tips for attending outdoor events with kids, as we've done a lot over the years and these should help with most ages and help mom keep her sanity. 

10 Tips for Outdoor Events with Kids

1. Make sure you will have the opportunity to let the kids run off some energy. I was so excited that there was a playground at the drive-in. After being in the car that long, I knew the kids could not sit through a movie. 

2. Eat before hand. Its always easier to get my kids to eat when there are no distractions.

3. Bring plenty of snacks- because, kids. 

4. Don't forget extra water. I made this mistake and ended up giving them my water. 

5. Each kid had their travel backpack (we use them for everything) with a hoodie, blanket, and tablet (in case the movie was scary for Snapper). I'm so glad I thought to bring blankets on an 80-degree day. It gets chilly in the mountains at night. Best travel blanket ever: cooling blanket (these have fleece on the opposite side for warmth). Snapper has the unicorn and Tbomb has the gaming pattern.

6. Bring a waterproof picnic for stretching out on. Even if chairs are provided at the event, kids like to stretch out, especially as they get sleepy. Here's the one we have. It is plenty big enough, takes up very little room, and even comes with stakes. 

7. Hype them up. Pretty simple, but I love seeing kids get excited- even though the 13-year-old tries to hide it. 

8. Bring your mom bag- lots of snacks, bandaids, wet wipes, extra water, and whatever else. I know people are psyching over the rubber bags now, but I love my neoprene tote. It is huge, durable, and washable and I can squeeze it away when I'm not using it. Here it is. I have the beige flower, but should have gotten a darker one. 

9. Make sure they are settled for the ride. If they are settled, comfortable, and content for the ride, there is less stress and angst when you finally arrive at your destination. 

10. Have fun. Put all expectations away and enjoy your kids. This is the biggest one!! Enjoy them!!

CSB Explorer Bible for Kids

 Disclaimer: I received a bible to review. All opinions are my own. 

Several years ago, the kids' Nanny and Poppy got them both a bible for Christmas. They have cherished those Bibles and the messages written inside them. However, when their Poppy died in 2021, they resisted using them. I finally figured out that they were scared something would happen to the Bibles and that scared them since they had lost their Poppy, who they were very close to.  My husband and I had been looking into finding new Bibles that could also grow with them and had nice features for more in-depth Bible study. When I got the chance to review the CSB Explorer Bible for Kids, I knew we had found the answer. 

These Bibles are designed for kids but include the full text of the Holy Bible, instead of paraphrased passages or simple bible stories. The special features of this Bible allow kids to go further in-depth in their studies and also highlight interesting facts about scriptures. 

Not only are there reference sections in the back of the Bible, like measurements, a glossary, and maps, but there are references throughout the Bible. I love the QR codes sprinkled throughout for downloading activity pages to accompany the scriptures. The beginning of the Bible also has page numbers for each type of feature and where to find them throughout the scriptures. I love how to use this Bible section as well.  

Even modern things with biblical origins are explained in the sidenotes- for instance, the wedding ring is presented in one such reference. 

Some of my favorite features are: excavating the past, exploring creation, discovering the truth, character field guides, and charting history. These have even been useful in some of our CC lessons. I love the highlighted sections of scripture to bring attention to those that we need to really focus on. 

These are wonderful study Bibles for kids and for the whole family. My husband has even picked it up and used it several times. 

This is definitely the winner for my kids and I'm so glad that we got the opportunity to explore the CSB Explorer Bible together. Thank you Lifeway Christian. 

I've Missed You. Let's Talk About Where I've Been

 I'm going to admit. This will be a hard post to write, but that's why it has taken so long. I've missed this space so much over the past few years and want to be active here again, but the last couple of months made me miss it so much more. This is my peace and my escape. I needed it, but I didn't want to write. Why? 

My dad died. 

January 25th he left us. 

I didn't think he ever would. He turned 75 in December and I guess I took for granted that he would someday die. I have many regrets and things I could say and do. 

Dad and me on my wedding day. He paid for my bouquet because he wanted to make sure I had red roses and pearls- along with stemware and servingware with pearls in the handles. I'm his only daughter and he was so supportive of our marriage and kids. 

Most saw him as a rough guy who didn't care about a whole lot, but my dad loved fiercely, argued ferociously, worked hard, and was all in, no matter what. He was the biggest dreamer I've ever met. His life story is amazing and he experienced so many things and did so many interesting things. I loved hearing about the cars he owned and the bar he had. Here he is with a friend in front of his bar "The Blue Room" in Beaufort, SC. See, what I mean about his personality- that's him in the background. The one below is his last motorcycle purchase (already in his 70s). I knew he'd never ride it, but who am I to tear down a dream. 

Dad had many different careers- mechanic, construction, garbage collector, janitor, pizza and newspaper delivery, truck driver, plant worker, he delivered meds to nursing homes (called himself a drug runner), shrimper, bar owner, and many more. So much life experience. 

He was so smart and basically taught himself to read. He loved to read to learn, even encyclopedias. When I was a kid, he got Popular Science and would read it cover to cover, then hand it to me to read and we'd talk about it. We loved watching Beyond 2000 together. 

The last conversation I had with him that was just chatting was about when we lived in Memphis. The man my dad worked for at the time owned a car that had belonged to BB King. Dad was tasked with moving it to a different location so I got to go with him. As we were driving, I saw the pink Cadillac that Elvis bought his mom and fell in love. I was obsessed (at like 3 years old). After that, Dad bought me every pink Cadillac toy he saw. I have an entire collection put away. We just talked and laughed about those childhood memories and had a wonderful laugh. I didn't know it would be the last conversation I'd have with him, but I'll treasure it forever. My inlaws and husband found me this charm. 

I love you Dad and I will forever cherish our memories, conversations, and the lessons you taught me. Thank you for teaching me that hot water freezes faster than cold, that you can achieve anything, and how to argue with a brick wall. 

A Tuttle Twins Series Of Stories: America's History (1215-1776)

I've been working on gathering our homeschool materials for the next school year (I'll have an 8th grader and a 5th grader- gasp!)

We will continue doing our read-aloud time, as well as history, science, and classical conversations as a group but spread out to do grammar, math, reading, and other individual studies. I love our one-on-one time learning together, but there is nothing like learning as a group and seeing what each kid gets from the same lesson. 

This next year, we will be using A Tuttle Twins Series of Stories: America's History (1215-1776) for history along with our CC timeline.

I love history and I feel it is important for kids to learn (to know where we came from and also to understand what happened to get us where we are). I also feel it is relevant to our lives, even though some people disagree with that. 

This history book from Conner Boyack and Elijah Stanfield supports my thoughts on history. The features are amazing and I love the way the authors help kids relate to historical events and understand why it is important to understand America's history. 

I think learning interesting facts helps the lesson stick. It always has for me, anyway. I had a history teacher in high school that called them nuggets (of information) and that has always stuck with me. These sections that teach extra about a historical figure are fun and full of nuggets. 

Oh, timelines! I just love timelines. I have one in my bible that is basic, as well as one of Genesis. The kids have simple ones in their Bibles. It really helps to be able to visualize events when they are placed linearly, especially when so many things overlap and when things happen as a direct result of a past event. Having these timelines is a game-changer in helping kids understand our history. 

Maps. They make my heart go pitter-patter. Each kid has a notebook map that is laminated in their school clipboards. United States on one and the world on the other side. They are referenced quite often during our bible study, ancient history, and when we are learning about different cultures. being able to visualize journeys and where people live compared to us is a huge game changer for my kids. The maps in this book are no different. They really help to drive home the lessons. 

One of my favorite things about the Tuttle Twins (we are huge fans here) is that the lessons are relatable to kids. This book is no different. Boyak and Stanfield use the twins to explain to kids about things they hear in the news and hear adults talking about. In this book, the historical significance is also explained. Especially in politics! 

We cannot wait to fully dive into this book and to use it alongside the videos, worksheets, and even the Tuttle Twins series we already have. It would be an amazing addition to your homeschool as well. 

We were actually listening to a Dan Bongino podcast and Conner Boyak was mentioned - the kids automatically perked up and started listening. That was the moment I knew a difference was happening in their minds that would set them apart in their futures.