Middlebury Interactive Languages #REVIEW

When I share that we are a homeschooling family one of the big questions I get,  is how do we teach high school subjects.  Particularly Science, Math and Foreign Languages.  I totally get those type of questions because I too had them before I started. My answer? Find a quality online course to do the bulk of the work for you!  We have been using  Middlebury Interactive Languages  for high school Spanish Courses.

ODDS & ENDS by Andrew & Polly Review & Giveaway!

 I'm so excited to bring ANDREW & POLLY'S newest cd  ODDS & ENDS for review here at A Rup Life!  The couple has come up with an amazing album that has a bit of a modern bluegrass feel to this eclectic album. It is easy on the ears and features some really catchy lyrics!

Tapple & Wonky by USAopoly - Game Review

We love playing games in our family. As my bigger boys have frown and matured it has been a lot fun to branch out from little kid classics to more advanced and challenging games where strategy and wits come in to play.  We were recently sent two games from USAopoly to review.

Live Love Lead by Brian Houston of Hillsong #review

I'm excited to share a book with your from Brian Houston of Hillsong. Live Love Lead: Your Best is Yet to come is his latest project.  In this book Houston shares a lot of background on how he came to be in this successful ministry. He comes across as a very humble man in the book constantly reminding us that it was not really anything special he did but what God has done through him being a willing servant. I found that refreshing. This was a very uplifting book which I found inspiring.

Noodle & Boo Luxury Skin Care for Baby! #WIN

 I have been a huge fan of Noodle & Boo products since having my littlest guy. They are so luxurious! The beautiful pink and navy packaging looks adorable in my baby's nursery too! I am excited to share some of my favorites products with you. The signature scent is one of my favorite parts of their product line - it just smells like baby to me - soft, light, perfect! I particularly love the Super Soft Lotion - it always leaves my son's skin hydrated. I recently tried the Leave-In Conditioning Hair Polish - which we use as a styling product to brush our sons hair - and I'm in LOVE! I honestly love the whole line.  It all works well, hydrates and smells awesome!

VEGGIETALES IN THE HOUSE Season 2 on Netflix starts 9/25 + free printables

VeggiesTales In the House premiers season 2 today on Netflix!  Join Larry, Bob and all your veggie friends for an all new season!

Amazon Prime Membership $67 for one day only! 9/25

  I LOVE my Amazon prime membership! You get streaming (think netflix) and free 2 day shipping. It is awesome to need printer ink and just go online, order and get it in two
days!  I've done this so many times.


With Christmas right around the corner - and all those amazing Amazon Lightning Deals coming - this is a great time to join!!!  

Details:

September 25th at midnight - and only 1 day!
New Members Only!

 This post may contain affiliate links. We only give our honest opinons of products. This post is in accordance with the FTC 10 CFR, Part 255 concerning the use, endorsements or testimonials in advertising.

Birchbox for Men #review

 I've been receiving subscription boxes for quite some time now. My husband has jumped on the bandwagon and subscribed to Birchbox for Men! His thinking is that we can use the things for stocking stuffers for our teen boys - and I couldn't agree more!

Disney's Cinderella Review & Free Printables!

Being the only female in a house of testosterone sometimes means Mom doesn't get to do girly stuff. However - this one is for the girls! I was so excited to review the new Cinderella movie from Disney.  This film was beautiful! I loved the message - Be Kind and Have Courage - which is just fabulous for young girls (and boys!) to live by! The scenes were breathtaking and the costumes gorgeous! It was easy to get sweep away in this classic story.  Can you tell I enjoyed this one?

HEROES OF HISTORY / YWAM Publishing Review

Finding good literature courses for homeschooling can sometimes be challenging. I think this might be the one subject that my homeschooling friends and I talk about the most because we worry about balancing good reading with projects and writing assignments.  I'm so excited to share a fabulous resource from YWAM Publishing today.


YWAM has two  book series - Heroes of History and Christian Heroes: Then & Now. Which honestly includes more books than I can count between the two!  Each of these series features reading books perfect for ages 10 and up (although you might want to use your own discretion for younger students.)

For this review we received Heroes of History: Abraham Lincoln: A New birth of Freedom by Janet & Geoff Benge - which is a physical book.  We also received the  Abraham Lincoln Unit Study Curriculum Guide (ours was a physical book but they now offer it as a downloadable product.)


The book is paperback and 224 pages.

The Downloadable Unit Study Curriculum Guide includes the following areas of study:

• Student Exploration
• Social Studie
• Community Link
• Related Themes to Explor
• Biography of Related Resources (recommended additional reading/movies and other media)
• Culminating Event - a section for additional projects

How We Used This:

My 8th grader had just started the new school year when this arrived. I thought it would be a nice gentle way to get back into the swing of literature for the year for him. (We always try to start gentle the first two weeks as we adjust to our new schedule/routine.)  He was able to read the book fairly quick - within a week. However we could have slowed it down depending on our schedule. For the guide I had him do the comprehension questions for each of the chapters.  Then he picked a big project from the suggested list. For him that was making a crossword puzzle all about Abe Lincoln.

My Thoughts:

I just loved this set. Like I said in my opening good literature courses can be hard to find.  These books can stand alone and are fantastic just as they are. My son really enjoyed reading about Lincoln and his life. So many amazing historical figures and Christian Heroes to read about - really make these an outstanding book series. However when you add the unit study curriculum guide to the mix you have a full course load - which really steps it up for older kids. That is what makes this set - gold! One think I loved is how easy it is to pick historical people from the time you are studying in your history curriculum.  I often see Moms asking what would be good books for a certain period of history - so this is an easy way to make a rounded out course study.

When we venture into American History next year we will definetly be looking at adding a few books from YWAM to balance out the studies! Another plus is how adaptable this set was. We did the work over two weeks but you could do a book faster or slower depending on schedules, students interests and how many activities you decided to do from the guide. (If we had lived local to any attractions we would have definitely done a field trip!)

Don't just take my word for it!  The Crew reviewed a bunch of YWAM books so click on the link below to see what they had to say! 

Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Mickey's Monster Musical Review & Giveaway! #WIN

We are big Mickey Mouse Clubhouse fans.  With Halloween right around the corner, my little guy was so excited to watch Mickey's Monster Musical! This was such a cute movie with Goofy Monster, Ghost Donald and Ghost Daisy! Lots of fun songs make this DVD a blast!  What a fun spooky way for littles to get in the holiday spirit!

A Wedding at the Orange Blossom Inn: Amish Brides of Pinecraft, Book Three (The Pinecraft Brides) #review

 I have a sweet book from the Pinecraft Brides series by Shelley Shepard Gray to share with you today. In A Wedding at the Orange Blossom Inn we meet two widowed parents who are just starting to open up the possibility to loving again. Through the book they each have to search their hearts and God's plan to see if the future holds another love for them.  They are met with a little bit of opposition but not by their brady bunch like family (each has 3 kids.)  Of course we get glimpses of Orange Blossom Inn and our beloved Beverly the Inn Keeper. I'm really looking forward to reading more of her story in the future.

Giveaway Recap

Love entering giveaways?  Check out the awesome ones we have going on this week!! 

• Pirate's Booty 10/1
• Josh & Jamtones CD 9/29
• DenTek Dental 9/24
• Summer's Flame 9/23
• Undercover Mama Nursing Shirt 9/22
• Sea Bands 9/21
• Colief 9/21
• FeverAll Prize Pack 9/21
• Nourish Nursing Bra 9/18

Khan Academy brings us *Pixar In a Box* Free Online Curriculum

 Us homeschoolers are always looking for great supplemental learning so I was excited to see Khan Academy has teamed up with Pixar to bring us Pixar In a Box. This free online curriculum shows how Pixar filmakers use science, technology, art, engineering and math to create movie magic!

Celebrate International Talk Like a Pirate Day with Pirate's Booty! 9/19

Ahoy Buccaneers!  Saturday September 19th is International Talk Like a Pirate Day! What better way to celebrate than with Pirate's Booty! You can join Billy Bones, an entertainer at Pirate School - where he will teach your Lads and Lasses all about high sea adventures! So grab your Land Lubber friends and join Pirate's Booty for a Swashbucklin' time!

Beauty Subscription Box Battle! Ipsy versus Birchbox #review

I have been purchasing an Ipsy box for the past year or so and lately I haven't been loving it. So I decided it was time to change things up and try another box. So I subscribed to Birchbox to see if I liked that one better.

Super Teacher Worksheets #REVIEW

Homeschoolers know the value of a good printable worksheet site. Super Teacher Worksheets is a site that literally has over 10,000 printable worksheets, games and activities - designed for teachers and homeschoolers.  The grade range is from kindergarten to 5th grade (although there are some preschool, 6th, 7th and 8th grade items).

Trim Evolution Fruit Infuser Water Bottle #TrimEvolution

Most of us are trying to get our daily allowance of water each day. I know sometimes it can be a struggle to just drink plain water -so that is why I was so excited to try out a fruit infuser water bottle.  Trim Evolution sent me a red bottle for review and I've been very pleased with it. There is a cylinder down the center of the bottle that you put your fruit in. Mostly I've put lemons in it since I love me some lemon water but really you could put anything - grapes, strawberries, blueberries - whatever you like! It is easy to assemble and lid makes it convenient for on the go. It is exactly what I was looking for.

Gather Around The Amish Table - Cookbook Review & Amish Baking Basket Giveaway

 I love cookbooks! Even in this day when you can find so many recipes online I still take my cookbooks out and pour over them often. I was delighted to review Gather Around the Amish Table: Treasured Recipes and Stories From Plain Communities by Lucy Leid.  This book includes some fabulous recipes but the real treasure is the little stories included with each one.

Giveaway Recap!

Tons of awesome giveaways are ending this coming week! Don't miss your chance to win!  

• Josh & Jamtones CD 9/29
• DenTek Dental 9/24
• Summer's Flame 9/23
• Undercover Mama Nursing Shirt 9/22
• Sea Bands 9/21
• Colief 9/21
• FeverAll Prize Pack 9/21
• Nourish Nursing Bra 9/18
• Lansinoh 9/17
• Laurie Berkner Lullabies CD 9/15
• That's (Not) Mine Book 9/15
• Eating Expectantly 9/14

Stinky Kid Math #REVIEW

For the past few weeks we have been reviewing  Stinky Kid Math which is an online math program that has courses for foundational algebra (pre-algebra & algebra I), complex algebra (algebra 1 & 2) and geometry.

Disney Parks Moms Panel - Now Accepting Applications! #DISNEY

 Is Disney your passion?  The Moms Panel applications are now open - this is a great opportunity to share your expertise about the parks and dining with others. 

The Jelly Bean Alternative - for Gestational Diabetes Testing!

First off a disclaimer!  Check with and consult your doctor for all pregnancy testing!!  We all dread that time of our pregnancy when we have to take the gestational diabetes test.  You know the glucose test where they make you drink a huge bottle of flat nasty non-soda type drink.  Depending on your doctor's request you will have a 1, 2 or 3 hour test.  Typically for the 1 hour you drink the drink then sit for an hour before getting blood drawn.  The 2 or 3 hour test will mean a possible blood draw before the drink, drinking then having hourly draws.

Josh & the Jamtones ~ ROCKSTEADY Review & Giveaway! #WIN

 I have a great album to share with you from Josh & the Jamtones!  ROCKSTEADY entwines rock, light rap, pop and funk in a magical way that will have your kids dancing and singing along through the whole album!

Counting on a Cowboy Review & Love at the Reins Giveaway

I have a great book to share with you from A Four Hearts Ranch Romance Series!  Counting on a Cowboy!  In this book we dive into another brother - Bo's life.  I just love series and seeing some of my favorite characters pop up in the stories.  For example it was nice to see more of Pop's life in this book.  This book introduces us to Abby a very broken girl looking for a new life and a restart. I'd say that is exactly what she gets pretty much immediately entering town! Life becomes a roller coaster for Abby and she has a lot of past hurt to sort through as she is thrust into a whole new world.  Will she allow herself to love again? Can she accept the wonderful man - Bo- that God has put in her life.

Giveaway Recap

Love entering giveaways?  Well we have a ton open her at A Rup Life!  One quick tip!  Come back daily for additional entries and to increase your odds of winning!  

current giveaways:

• Summer's Flame 9/23
• Undercover Mama Nursing Shirt 9/22
• Sea Bands 9/21
• Colief 9/21
• FeverAll Prize Pack 9/21
• Nourish Nursing Bra 9/18
• Lansinoh 9/17
• Laurie Berkner Lullabies CD 9/15
• That's (Not) Mine Book 9/15
• Eating Expectantly 9/14
• Stretch Mark Lotion 9/7
• Little Baby Bumblebee 9/7

Back to School with DenTek! #GIVEAWAY

It is truly back to school season. My facebook feed is filled with smiling kids with backpacks as they head off to another year of school. As we prepare kids with their school supplies - crayons, notebooks and pencils - I want to talk about another supply!  DenTek flossers, toothbrushes and toothpaste!

Summer's Flame - Reading for a Cause! #bookreview #giveaway

As summer is slowing coming to an end I have a great book to share with you for a great cause!  Summer's Flame (fitting title as we hold onto these last few days!)

Disney Descendants Printable Activities! #disney

Have you all seen the new Descendants DVD?  It is on my list to watch for sure! I love the concept of the famous Disney Villains having teen kids!  What fun.

You can purchase your copy of Disney Descendants at your local retailer or online at Amazon.  

Click on the image below for printable activity sheets! 

ARupLife.com received product, press or compensation for facilitate this review. This post may contain affiliate links. We only give our honest opinons of products. This post is in accordance with the FTC 10 CFR, Part 255 concerning the use, endorsements or testimonials in advertising.

Curriculum Choices for 10th Grade #homeschool

We are actually into our 7th week of school here at the Rup house but with the baby event and some late changes to our curriculum choices for high school - I'm just getting around to sharing out picks for this year.

This is for 10th grade:

Science:

Science Shepard Biology 

 We purchased: The course books (3 set), lab manual, lab DVD - as well as the kit to do the experiments and the microscope.  (Yes this was pricey but it was less than the other 'popular' biology everyone uses and I believe that if you are going to homeschool you give your kids all the tools to succeed. - not to mention we will be re-using almost all of it in 2 year!)

Math:

Teaching Textbooks - Algebra I & Algebra II
&
Stinky Kid Math  (Review to come on this one but we are using it as a supplement to the Teaching Textbooks. 

History:

Masterbooks World History 

Read my review of MB World History Here! 

English:

Sharon Watson's Illuminating Literature (you can read my review of this product here.)

Wordly Wise Grade 10 

Bible:

Lifepac Grade 10  

Foreign Language:

Memoria Press Greek - we are also bumping this up to make it a high school level course by adding quizlet and watching It's Not Greek to Me DVD 



 In addition to this course load my older kids do piano lessons weekly and physical activity (gym). 

I think it is a good course load and so far he seems pretty happy.  Greek is the favorite course this year for sure. 

Undercover Mama Review & Giveaway #babyevent

A Rup Life received product to facilitate this post. This post may contain affiliate links.

I have an awesome product to share with you today.  Undercover Mama is truly a unique product that I think will be one of my nursing must haves come November.  The concept is this - a tank top that hooks to your nursing bra.  So no extra straps, no extra bulk of a built in bra - just a great nursing shirt that you can easily open and close while breastfeeding. (Nursing tip - layering clothes like undercover mama under a tshirt is a great way to keep modest yet still nurse comfortably!)