PG Key Review

PG Key is a unique device that plugs into any USB port on a PC and gives parents the tools they need to manage kids using the Internet. I received this really cool tool to review for free thanks to TOS.

It’ so simple to use. Simply take it from the box, plug it into any USB port and assign it a password. Done!

When PG Key is removed, the computer operation is suspended - this allows parents to control when their child can use the PC. You can also load time on PG Key like a cell phone and limit how many minutes a day the computer is used. When PG Key is in, 10 technologies are engaged, including site blocking and filtered searching. They allow you as a parent to create a safe Internet environment for the child. PG Key automatically records up to 60 hours of computer activity that can be reviewed just like watching a movie - sites visited, chats, e-mails, eveything.
It works with Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7

There are also no annual fees. Just a one time purchase price of $49.99

10 Tools in one little device:

*Access Control Control computer use by inserting or unplugging PG Key.
*Time Allowance Decide the amount of time the computer can be used daily.
*Content Filtering Eliminate unwanted results from innocent searches.
*Site Blocking Block sites you decide are inappropriate.
*Activity Tracking Review all activity on the PC with a DVD-like interface.
*Activity Notifications Be informed via text message or e-mail of any flagged activity.
*Chat and E-mail Logging See both sides of chat and e-mail conversations.
*Computer Configuration Properly configure all users of the protected PC.
*User Name and Password Logging Keep track of user names and passwords.
*Inappropriate Activity Evidence Use video recording to show obvious or suspected inappropriate activity.

PG Key is one of the best products I've seen. It's fast and easy to use yet gives you so much peace of mind. You can read what other crew members thought of it at:

Peleg Chronciles

"How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings,that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation"
Isaiah 52:7

One thing I've learned with having 3 children is that you can't be too careful about what they put into their minds. I've always told them that what goes in through their minds ends up in their hearts. One particular incident I recall happened a couple of years ago. We were preparing to go on a trip to Europe. One of the first things we think about is having a book or books to read on the long flight. We went in a local (small town) bookstore and asked for advice on books for the girls. They took us to the appropriate section for their ages. First they tried to push the 'vampire' books on us. The girls politely declined, much to my relief. Next was the ever popular 'witch craft' books. Once again the girls said that was something they weren't interested in. Finally a series of books that had been made into a movie was presented. Because the store was about to close and our flight was leaving early the next morning, we purchased these books without reviewing them thoroughly. Much to my dismay, halfway through the book, my daughter brings to my attention not only inappropriate language, but also totally inappropriate content. I was devastated that I had let her put those things into her mind. From that point on, my husband and I decided that every book our children read would be first approved by us or someone close that we trusted. Our children's minds are just too impressionable to allow anything to enter them.

A few weeks ago I received the book "The Peleg Chronicles" by Matthew Christian Harding. TOS asked me to read and review it. The first thing I did was flip to the back cover where I read "No Magic, No Evolution, No Humanism". Immediately I thought this was going to be a good book!

"I wanted to write books of fiction for our youth and adults that
would strengthen these beliefs, and give another platform from
which to excite and exhort our children to believe the Bible
literally - every word. I also desire to give them exciting stories
that help train them in Godly character.

I believe the Peleg Chronicles will give you another venue for
speaking truth into your children's lives. Just look at the
repetitive bombardment of evolution and humanism our families
are exposed to. We can't be neutral in our approach towards
false ideology, or our culture will dictate what is taught by
default. And reading works of fiction are one of the powerful
ways that learning occurs. That's why we must be cautious and
purposeful in choosing what our children are reading"

~Matthew Christian Harding

This 256 page book, priced at $11.95, is written for ages 10 and up. It's classified as Historical Fiction-mine and my oldest daughter's favorite. This early human history weaves a web of entertaining and imaginative heroes who depend on the Lord for help. Faith in God is the core of what the story is about. The characters (dragons, giants, false priests, the death hunt, an under-city of the dwarven brotherhood, and many more) are brought to life by Harding. The story begins in the time period of Peleg ,after the flood of Noah, soon after the tower of Babel dispersion. "Foundlings weaves together the Biblical principles of chivalry, truth, courage, duty, faith and love within the framework of Genesis, and a bold adherence to its historicity." The Peleg Chronicles is a book I proudly read in our home and let my girls read on their own. It's so refreshing to find good literature in today's world that not only is exciting, but glorifies our Lord. I highly recommend Peleg Chronicles and hope you enjoy it as much as we have.

If you'd like to read more reviews on this book visit The Homeschool Crew.

*For the purpose of this review, I received The Peleg Chronicles for free. My review is based on my opinion of the product only. No additional compensation was received.*

Schleich Figurine Review

It's not everyday that I'm as excited as my 6 year old when a package arrives. Today happened to be one of those days. Not only were the two of us pushing each other, but my other 2 girls were 'oohing and ahhing' as we pulled the Schleich figurines from the box. TOS kindly asked me to review these. What a pleasure!

Friedrich Schleich founded the company in 1935. Each figurine is engineered by a German master craftsman who works on the finest details for up to six weeks. Each one is hand painted-therefore they are all unique. Even though I no longer have toddlers around the house, it's important to me that all our toys are safe. All Schleich products are thoroughly tested by in-house experts at the German headquarters in Schwäbisch Gmünd. That means they are durable and safe.

Did I mention that these figurines are absolutely beautiful! They are simply miniatures of the real thing. I guess that's why not only toddlers enjoy them (only the larger pieces that can't cause a choking hazard), but older children and even adults like to collect them. There are so many(over 500) to pick from that boys and girls can find something they like.

Schleich makes a wide range of figurines which are divided into the following categories:

Farm Life

Wild Life

Prehistoric Animals

The World of Knights
The World of American Indians
The World of Fantasy (including Bayala and the Smurfs)

Price range varies depending on the piece-anywhere from around $6.00 up to $50.00+. The Schleich website can help you locate a dealer near you.

"When deciding on licensing products such as comic figurines we pay careful attention to their character and the message they carry. Educational aspects play a more important part than possible sales potential."

Wow! How many companies would say that? I guess you can tell that I like these cute little guys and so does my daughter. I can see her playing with them for many more years. We've already planned to order some of the characters from Bayala. I have to have some Smurfs too because they bring back memories of my childhood J. Schleich figurines are perfect for almost every age range, interest and imagination. Safe, durable and most of all just pure simple fun.

You can find out what the rest of the Homeschool Crew thought at the blog.

*For the purpose of this review I received free Schleich figurines. My review is based on my opinion of the product only. No additional compensation was received.*

America's Math Teacher Review

I have to admit that Math is not a favorite subject around our house. When I got the chance to review America's Math Teacher for free from TOS, my children weren't exactly screaming with joy. Fortunately, for me, America's Math Teacher was not painful at all. LOL!

First of all this program is a web-based math curriculum with printable worksheets for $195/year. It covers Basic Math (grade 4) all the way to Algebra. It also meets NCTM (National Council of teachers of Mathematics) standards. The site is divided into:

Learning Center-video tutorials, printed exercises, quizzes and final exams.

Exercise Center-access and download printable exercises and review problems.

Evaluation Center-pre-tests and final exams (also available at the Learning Center)

Resource Center-information, glossaries and games. Our favorite is the speed drill-try to beat your time on whatever level of problems you're currently working.

Your child can initially watch the short video (lessons worked out on a white board), complete the written exercise,then check her answers in the solutions section. At the end of each section she will take a quiz. After each course there is a final exam.

What I like:

• It's web-based-no books to carry around.
• Your child can go at her own pace.
• The videos explain/teach the new concept
• No grading on the parents part

If you'd like to read more reviews about this product and many more visit the TOS Homeschool Crew Blog.

*Thanks to TOS I was able to review America's Math Teacher for free. My review is totally based on my opinion of the product only. No additional compensation was received.

Our little school

Want to take a peek inside our school room:

Unfortunately, we don't have the opportunity to study this way every day. When the weather is as beautiful as it has been lately we just can't resist but to move to our favorite place.

Charlotte Mason (1842-1923) was a British educator who's teachings we closely follow. She believed that children should be outside at least 4-6 hours a day.

"Never," she writes, "be within doors when you can rightly be without."

I agree.

Her hands are busy...

I've mentioned before that one of my goals is to learn to quilt. It's been a slow process for me. At times...very slow. I made this quilt top almost 7 years ago. Our pastor's wife taught a weekly class at our church. Because I had a very fussy infant at the time, I wasn't able to go to the last classes. This was where she showed everyone how to actually 'quilt'. So, I've kept this top tucked away for all these years.

While moving into our new home, I was able to organize all my sewing things. I have much more space and can actually see where everything is. Once again I came across that little log cabin quilt top. I decided that would be my next project. Only one problem-I still didn't know how to quilt it.

I spent tons of time online trying to just decide what pattern to quilt it with. After all the time I spent sewing the top, I surely didn't want to mess it up. Finally I settled on stippling. There's something about the look of stippling that I love, love, love! More experienced quilters will do this freehand, but I had to trace the pattern.

(the fabric on the back is a street map of Paris.)

I'm absolutely thrilled with the finished product. It's not perfect by any means...but it's finished. If you like the fabric, it's from Moda. It's called Paris Flea Market by 3 Sisters. I can check the log cabin quilt off my to-do list. Now...what else do I have to finish?

Cake decorating

The girls and I have been doing lots of cooking lately. One of my goals this summer was to finally try all of those recipes I'd been saving. Another thing I've always been curious about is cake decorating. Fortunately for us, we have a dear friend who is an expert at decorating cakes. She came over for a visit one day and surprised us with tiny cakes of our own to decorate. She was so patient instructing us on all the different techniques. Cake Boss makes it look so easy but it's really not! LOL! This is definitely an art!

I don't see us going into the business anytime soon, but we certainly had an enjoyable day. Only one problem...after all that hard work none of us wanted to eat our cakes!