{Mosaic Reviews} Waterproof Bible

Every once in a while, I am introduced to something that is so unique it just knocks my socks off...or maybe in this case, I should say it floats my boat!  The Waterproof Bible by Bardin Marsee Publishing is spectacular!

 

 

I honestly didn't know what to expect of this Bible before receiving it.  I couldn't imagine how it would be made or how it could possibly be waterproof.  But I knew I was excited.  And so were my boys.  When I mentioned that I would be receiving the Waterproof Bible and the little I knew about it, my three oldest boys asked if I would give the Bible to them.  They were sold before even seeing it!

The gentlemen that created the Waterproof Bible have a passion for being in God's creation and years of experience and adventure in the great outdoors but neither of them had a good solution for taking God's Word with them.  One took inexpensive Bibles along on trips knowing that they would be ruined by the end of his trip.  The other just didn't take a Bible with him at all.  They longed for a solution...  Together they created the Waterproof Bible. 

 

We had a chance to speak with Bobby from Bardin Marsee Publishing and he said of the Waterproof Bible that we can "take God's Word anywhere with worry free confidence that it will stand the test of time..."  As their motto says, you can "Be Inspired.  Anywhere."

 

 The Waterproof Bible is made of synthetic paper and thread that is stain and tear resistant.  The Bible is sewn together in sections and then sewn as a block before also being secured with waterproof glue.  The synthetic paper allows the text to be ultra clear and readable.  The pages of the Bible stretch and it would take a great deal of stretching before tearing.  I stretched one of the back pages in the "notes" section and it didn't tear on me.  That spot is a little stretched out but it held up to the pressure I put on it.

 





 

The synthetic pages can be highlighted without worry of your markings washing off or smearing!  It is recommended that you use dry highlighters which are a cross between a crayon and a colored pencil.  I didn't happen to have a dry highlighter, so I just used a colored pencil.  It seemed to work just fine!   

 



 

The Waterproof Bible comes in several popular versions: KJV, NKJV, ESV, NLT, and the 2011 NIV.  Another option allows you to choose either the complete Old and New Testament Bible or just the New Testament with Psalms and Proverbs.

 

The complete OT and NT Bible is about 6" x 9" with a one inch spine while the NT with Psalms and Proverbs is pocket sized about 4" x 7" weighing less than a pound.  Perfect for camping, hiking, taking along on your fishing trip.

 

The Waterproof Bible comes with three cover options - blue, pink or camouflage.  Can you guess which cover my boys were hoping for?  They said, "Anything but pink!"  Ha, ha!!!

 

I really wanted to put this Bible to the test and one day we had a terrific rain storm.  All. day. long.  It felt wrong to be so excited leave our Waterproof Bible out on the patio table, but that's what we did.  My boys kept careful watch and kept asking if it was time to bring it in yet.  Nope!  It needs to stay outside for a long time to get a good thorough soaking.

Do you see how that water just bubbles up?!  Pretty awesome! 

 

When we finally brought the Bible back inside, we shook it off over the sink and dried the outside with a towel.  I fanned the pages and some drops of water flew out.  And that was it.  Dry.  Amazing!

 

Later on, the boys took our Bible out to their "fort" in our woods.  It was muddy.  The Bible got muddy.  The boys got muddy.  What cleaned up the most quickly?  The Bible.  A damp cloth wiped all traces of mud off the pages. 

 

The Waterproof Bible is one of the neatest products I've seen in a long time!  My boys are begging me to buy them each their own camouflage Bible to use for all their outdoor adventures - camping, fishing, and hiking.  (So, don't tell them they'll each be receiving one for Christmas with their names imprinted on the cover.  Shhhh!!!) 

 

As our family is trying to incorporate more outdoor activities into our lifestyle, I am confident this Bible will be a staple in our supplies.  I am just that totally excited about it!  And years from now, as my guys cross off one of their biggest dreams from their bucket lists - hiking the Appalachian Trail with their dad - I am confident their Waterproof Bibles will truly have stood the test of time ready to be pulled from their pack for a morning sunrise meeting with their Creator.

 



 

 If you are interesting in purchasing your own Waterproof Bible or other accessories, please visit the fine folks at Bardin Marsee Publishing.  You can even customize your Bible covers.  You won't be disappointed!

 

 

{Mosaic Reviews} Ooka Island

In our home, our kids don't spend a lot of time on the computer yet.  Our oldest boys spend a little time learning keyboarding skills, typing writing assignments, playing educational games, and looking up Lego sets.  There is always a bit of fussing when the older boys get to "play" on the computer and the younger ones don't have a chance. 

 

Well, the tables definitely turned when we were reviewing Ooka Island, a learn to read game adventure.  Isaac (age 7) and Sadie (age 3) had a chance to try out this exciting program.  In fact, as you can see, everyone was quite interested!  Even our cat, Hwin...he, he!

 

 

So, what is Ooka Island?

 

Ooka Island is a guided learn to read adventure geared for children ages 3-7 based on years of literacy research by Dr. Kay MacPhee both from a professional and personal level. 

 

Ooka Island incorporates science based reading methods using the Eye/Ear Reading Method where children use both visual and auditory skills to improve their literacy.  The Eye/Ear Method helps children obtain mastery skills in five important areas: phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension.

 

Ooka Island is an adaptive learn to read program.  Using the READirect algorithm, the program adapts to each child's strengths and weaknesses allowing them to make steady progress forward or repeat skills where they struggle.  When a child is playing Ooka Island, if they master a skill, READirect will move them forward in the game.  If they need more practice in a certain area, READirect will adjust for their needs and give more opportunities to practice those skills moving toward mastery. 

 



 

When we first set up our accounts, Sadie and Isaac were able to create their own character that looked like themselves.  The characters in Ooka Island are colorful, cute, and sometimes funny and surprising!  The character's voices were clear to understand and easy on the ears.

 

Sadie began Ooka Island at the very beginning level of play because she is three and that fit her skill level perfectly.  Because Isaac has growing reading skills, we were able to complete the Ooka Compass Reading Assessment that provided a variety of activities to assess his reading level and place him at a more accurate level of the game.  This is a wonderful aspect of Ooka Island!  Isaac didn't spend any time wading through unnecessary steps to get him to a place where he was actually learning and building new literacy skills.  From the very first time Isaac played the game, he was being challenged!

 

Ooka Island moves players through the Learning Flow Cycle which contains three parts. 

 

In Part 1: Guided Play, children work through skill building activities focused on phonemic awareness and phonics.  Sadie and Isaac loved playing these games.  I think this was their favorite part of the whole Ooka Island adventure.  I'm not sure I would have been able to convince Isaac, my first grader, that he was actually "doing school" while playing the games!  Ooka Island was a great way to reinforce our homeschool phonics lessons in a brand new way!

When children enter Part 2: e-Reader of the Learning Flow Cycle, they are transported to the Popcorn Library where they are presented with a leveled reader, again based on their individual skills.  This part focuses on concept of word, fluency, vocabulary, and reading comprehension.  While absolutely necessary, Isaac struggled with keeping a good attitude in this step.  This felt more like "school" to him and he just wanted to play the games.  But I encouraged him along reminding him that once he was finished with this part, he would unlock the next step - free play!  Sadie, on the other hand, really enjoyed this section and I don't think she saw it as anything other than another game to play.

Part 3: Free Play gives players a chance to play just for fun, read books from the Popcorn Library, or play activities that continue with their skill building and mastery.  Both Sadie and Isaac loved visiting the Mist Mart where they could select new costumes and clothing for their game characters.  I definitely heard the most giggling at this stage!

I think it is important to note, too, that no matter where you stop playing your game, Ooka Island remembers that spot and brings you right back to where you ended.  I think this eliminates the frustration of feeling like you're not making progress.

 

I was able to track each child's progress through Ooka Island's online progress reports via The Ooka Lighthouse which included The Report Card (a snapshot of progress), Reading Comprehension Report, Accuracy Analysis, Book Progress, and Red Line/Blue Line Trends (to show a reading break through).

 

On a fun note, I appreciated being able to send each of my children encouraging messages from the CHEEReader each time they logged in to play.  Both Sadie and Isaac would get so excited and say, "Mama, you sent me a message!" 

 

Sadie and Isaac really enjoyed playing Ooka Island!  At times, I'm not sure who was logged in as the player and they worked together at the games.  I know Isaac felt a sense of pride that he could help "teach" Sadie her letters and sounds  building his confidence.  In the seven hours Sadie was logged in to play, I have seen improvement in her ability to recognize and correctly name the alphabet and a few sounds that she didn't already know.  Isaac is making leaps and bounds in his reading skills and I'm confident that Ooka Island has helped him move closer toward becoming a fluent reader. 

 

Ooka Island is OOKARIFIC!!!



If you're interested in Ooka Island for your family, be sure to check their website for pricing and a variety of other resources available for you (sing along songs, activity pages, motivational tools, and so on).

And here's a bonus just for you from the good people at Ooka Island...a 30% discount on your purchase!!!  Just follow the link!!!

First Day of School?!

Today was our first day of school.  I wanted to get a head start on the year in order to take a few weeks off when the baby arrives.  I knew going to bed last night that our first day might not go as I had planned due to sniffles and coughs bothering all the kids.  Despite a rough night for Sadie and Luke, and consequently, myself, we plunged in to the day...

I actually hesitate to call this our first day but since we did accomplish a few things, I say it totally counts!!!  Oh my, were there bumps...schooling and otherwise, but I'm ending the day feeling good overall!  I spent much of the day just smiling and chuckling over how "imperfect" it truly was.  I kept thanking the Lord that I have the privilege of teaching our children at home and the ability to be flexible throughout.

At morning wake up, the kids enjoyed scrambled eggs, cinnamon rolls, and strawberries.  Each one found small buckets of supplies at their seats...pencils, colored pencils, scissors, erasers, glue sticks, writing paper, personal wipe boards,  Kit Kats, and a special note from Mama.  I forgot to buy chalk to write their names on the buckets, however, Luke remembered that we had sidewalk chalk in the garage!

Sadie received a few different items than the boys - Dora Band-Aids, markers, and purple Play dough but no writing paper, pencils, or colored pencils.  She was quite thrilled with her school stuff!

 Luke is starting 3rd grade!

Isaac is tackling Kindergarten/1st grade! 

Elijah is in 5th grade! 

Target's dollar section had these cute 24pk. note cards for lunch boxes.  One side is printed with encouraging words while the opposite side has space for a hand written note. 

I have been thinking I would send along a note in the boys' lunch boxes on Tuesdays when they go to co-op for the day.  We are all excited for the opportunity they have to take part in a school day each week at The Home School Academy.  Isaac will be participating in the Kindergarten/1st Grade class combining science, children’s literature, geography, history, music, and art using fun interactive unit studies.  Both Elijah and Luke will be take part in history, science, writing/literature, gym, and art/performing arts classes.  I couldn't resist using one of the note cards for each of their buckets this morning! 

Sadie loves the ABC's!  Her favorite letter is...can you guess???  It's "S."  She still isn't quite sure if she's right or left handed - she kept switching back and forth to color in these letters - however she has great fine motor skills with both hands.  I am hoping to keep her busy with some preschool activities this year as well as with a whole bunch of hands-on play. 

Isaac, my not-so-willing-student, did a wonderful job matching, naming, and coloring shapes.  I'm always thankful for the first few weeks of review to help us ease back into school mode.

Elijah often finds quiet space in the boy's room to help him concentrate.  Who doesn't love to do schoolwork lounging in bed, right?!

"Look, Mama!  I colored it!"

Our Luke had his first sick day of the school year.  Nothing much accomplished except sleep and 15 minutes of piano practice.  Poor guy!  In the afternoon, I implemented "rest time" for everyone...oh, yummy!  Mama got a nap!!!  If you would, pray that we all sleep better tonight!

Finally, on our agenda tonight, with bellies full of homemade chicken noodle soup...

The boys always plead with me to read "just one more chapter" of our read-alouds during the day.  With daddy gone all week, it will be easy to meet their request in the evenings to help settle everyone in for the night.

I'm so glad I took pictures of our first day...we did, indeed, accomplish some things!  It really makes the rest of the "bumps" of the day seem not so big a deal...

Book Lover

My book lover. Well, one of them anyway...

Gentle, steady plodding brings us closer and closer to having another reader in our house...

Here he is spelling words I say to him...

This week has been one of new routines:

*rising earlier in the morning (ahem...setting an alarm clock and showering right away)

*focusing solely on school between 8:00-ish until 12:00-ish (attempting to steer clear of being distracted by computer, tv, chores, etc.)

*being more disciplined with Isaac's lessons (he's not fighting it too much)

*keeping Miss Sadie occupied (thank goodness for play dough and stickers and big brothers who help mama out).

Learning To Read

Learning to read "Farwell style" is super fun, hands-on, and always a family affair! I use "The Ordinary Parent's Guide to Teaching Reading" as my starting point, but add in our own hands-on activities.

Isaac is working on word families: -at, -am, -an, -ad. He's doing great!!! He especially likes to read and spell sentences that include the words fat, bad, dad. "I had a fat bad dad." He, he...

Sadie is well on her way to recognizing her letters and their sounds. She's just like that. A girl...so different. She loves the ABC's. The other day in the car she was particularly upset because Mike had turned off the kid's songs and turned on the Bills football game. "No! It's not ABC's! It's soccer ball!!!" And we are working on that little attitude, too...ahem.

Success! HAD instead of HDA! (My pictures are in the wrong order and for some reason I cannot figure out an easy way to move them around...it used to click and drag really easily, but not anymore...suggestions?!)

Me, being the ever so patient mama...(dripping with sarcasm...but I actually was here!). If you think that mamas who homeschool are saints or are SO patient, I'd like to introduce myself. I am not a saint. I am not so patient. I raise my voice. I get super frustrated. I am a sinner saved by grace and the Lord is still using me for His glory through homeschooling despite my inadequacies. You know something, I am more concerned with my inadequacies concerning my character than my intellectual ability in teaching academic subjects. Truly the Lord is filling in the gaping holes.

The letters are made of thin foam I picked up at the Dollar General for $1 per package a few years ago. Isaac and I take turns choosing words to spell. This seems to be one of his favorite reading games so far!

Thanks to Elijah and Luke for taking the pictures!

Thrifty Thursday

Our stops at the thrift store were a smashing success today! I say "our" because my boys are starting to get into this thrifting thing...they no longer say in Eeyore voices "Bow-ring" when I suggest stopping by my favorite haunts for a quick scour. He, he!!!

Luke found this terrific "spy notebook" for...well, you know...7 yr. old spying adventures...(can't believe he's gonna be 7 yrs. old in just a few weeks!!!) ($0.99)

Luke's spy and discovery book...

Each of these sections are envelopes for your "valuable papers."


Went garage saleing (saling, sailing, sale-ing???) with a friend and scored the larger suitcase ($10) formerly belonging to Mr. Edwin L. Mincher (may he rest in peace). The sellers were like, "Awww...she's buying Ed's suitcase...he was a good fella!" I say he had great style, too...the inside is lined with tan & cream herringbone fabric. So old man-ish. So perfect.

The smaller suitcase came from another garage sale on another day...($5).

Both need to be cleaned. I think goo-be-gone might remove Ed's white address labels...I hope!

Brand new Twister game cellophane wrapped and all ($2.49), Five Little Peppers and How They Grew...the boys loved this book and one of them spotted in on the shelf! ($0.99), vintage arithmetic flash cards ($0.49 each) - the boys were practicing with them tonight...but the part I love the most is the picture below.


"Printed With Special Eye-Saving Ink"

Me to my boys, "See, boys! These are secret SPY math cards...SPECIAL INK...it can SAVE things like eyes! Now study, study, study!!! Save the WORLD with ARITHMETIC!"



Oh, the vintage sheets...sigh! "Hello, My name is Kiley and I'm addicted to vintage sheets..."



Gorgeous vintage table cloth...perfect condition! ($3.49)

Not pictured but worth mentioning...rain boots for Ike ($1.99). We've been looking for new ones!!! Also, from garage sales and the thrift store today...FRAMES!!! Working on a project with them! Go here for a sneak peak!!!


I'm linking up here...



Apron Thrift Girl

The Happy Hollisters

Oh boy! The Happy Hollisters by Jerry West is a great series that we enjoy! I found this lovely copy at my thrift store for $0.99. The lady shopping next to me probably thought I found a really valuable book when I cheered. Out loud. Apparently this copy was one of the most popular books in the series and is very easy to find. It's valued around $4.oo...but for the adventure, imaginative play, and excitement it envokes in my boys, I'd say it's priceless.

Kindred Spirits and Transformed Lives

Doing this battle of life as a follower of Jesus, a wife, a mom, and a homeschooling teacher along with several kindred spirits with whom I am blessed enough to claim friendship. I am at a different place than each of them though in most cases not that far removed - one has grown children, two don't homeschool, one has fewer children, one has more, one has the same. The common bond that seals our friendship is our heart's desire to surrender our lives to the living Christ, the one whose strength is made perfect in our weakness. Not one of those ladies would claim to have it all together and yet I see them as some of the strongest Christian ladies I know.


They are real. They inspire me. They challenge and lovingly correct me. They pray with and for me.


I trust them with my heart, my deepest feelings and ugliness. I find no judgement, no rejection. I find love. I find encouragement. I am safe. True Christ-likeness.


I had a conversation with one of those friends today and was reminded of an analogy from C.S. Lewis' The Voyage of the Dawn Treader that really struck me as it pertains to my own heart issues of sin, of becoming more Christ-like. I can do what God asks of me - to fellowship with Him, to pray, to read Scripture, but the real heart change comes when I allow Christ to scrape and scratch out the ugliness in my heart, my sin. It hurts so much but after it's all done...transformation!!!


In the book, Eustace, a rather ornery, complaining, very unlikeable sort, has been magically turned into a dragon wearing a constricting golden arm cuff. He has no way of turning back into a boy except for the help of Aslan, the lion. Aslan tells him that he must undress, so Eustace figures out that like a snake sheds its skin, maybe he can shed his scales. So he starts scraping and scratching. Much to his delight, he sheds one layer but as he looks down, there is another layer. He does this three times and each time there is another layer to peel off.

So Aslan says, " '...you will have to let me undress you.'

I was afraid of his claws, I can tell you, but I was pretty nearly desperate now. So I just lay flat down on my back to let him do it. The very first tear he made was so deep that I though it had gone right into my heart. And when he began pulling the skin off, it hurt worse than anything I've ever felt...

...then he caught hold of me - I didn't like it very much for I was very tender underneath now that I'd no skin on - and threw me into the water. It smarted like anything but only for a moment. After that it became perfectly delicious and as soon as I started swimming and splashing I found that all the pain had gone from my arm. And then I saw why. I'd turned into a boy again."

WOW! Compare this fictional story to a real, transformed life in Christ!!! Double WOW!!!


I'm thankful in this new year for the complete Chronicles of Narnia book series to feed my addiction (he, he!) but mostly for kindred spirits and an expectancy to see real change and transformation in my own life and my friend's lives. It might be difficult, but we're in it together with Christ!!!