Our Favorite Things - The Celts - The Sneaky Snacky Squirrel Game - Read Aloud Revival

In which we check in weekly and update our Favorite Things: resources that fueled our curiosity this past week.

Documentary of the Week: The Celts: Blood, Iron and Sacrifice

Neil Oliver is another favorite among our documentarians. He has a great sense of dramatic timing and, similar to Dan Snow, finds ways to "get his hands dirty." This series was our introduction to the Celts and believe you me, we found plenty to love and plenty to hate (Vercingetorix opposing Julius Ceasar = epic / Druid and bog bodies = nightmarish). Top-notch quality, intriguing for all ages. All three episodes can be viewed on either YouTube or Amazon Prime.

Check out a preview below.

Game of the Week: The Sneaky Snacky Squirrel Game

No secret that I love games. But my four-year-old has started asking "Mommy, play a game with me!"

And it kinda makes my blood run cold. There is almost nothing worse than a mind-numbing game of "Chutes and Ladders." This game is perfect for my just-turned-four-year-old. The components are great quality - gotta love that cute little squirrel grabber! They feel very durable. I love that the game doesn't involve any physical jumping around (sorry, that's just asking too much of mommy...), but there is a physical challenge of utilizing those little squirrel paws.

Bonus Awesomeness: Read Aloud Revival

One of my favorite podcasts of recent months has been the Read Aloud Revival with Sarah Mackenzie. It's full of great ideas, interesting interviews, wonderful recommendations.

And...my mom got the greatest back-to-school gift for us: a premium membership to Read Aloud Revival. I've loved exploring the master classes and the forums. And I look forward to lots of great ideas for how to further develop our book-loving family culture. Check out the podcast and get inspired!

Don't forget to peek at my Instagram to see what awesome books we enjoyed this week. Got a favorite resource that fueled your curiosity this week? Leave a comment and point me in the right direction!

#Homeschool #Homeschooling #ReadAloudRevival #Celts #NeilOliver #SneakySnackySquirrel #Boardgames #Documentary #Podcasts

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that we have recommended. While clicking these links won't cost you any extra money, they will help us keep this site up and running! Please check out our disclosure policy for more details. Thank you for your support!

Our Favorite Things - Crash Course Kids - Dr. Eureka - Beethoven's Wig

In which we check in weekly and update our Favorite Things: resources that fueled our curiosity this past week.

Documentary of the Week: Space Probes!

We're headed to the sun, guys! Seriously, you know that early this morning NASA launched a solar probe? (Why yes, yes I did set an alarm for 3:25am in order to watch the launch live. *Yawn* #nerdlife) To get psyched about all that science will gain from this probe, take a crash course on all the cool things that probes have taught us thus far. If you're like us, you'll get so attached to the Cassini probe that when you watch this video of the mission's grand finale, you might just shed a tear...) You can watch this series on Curiosity Stream or on Amazon with a Curiosity Stream channel subscription.

Check out a preview below.

Game of the Week: Dr. Eureka

This game is a great mix of hand-eye coordination, fine motor skill and quick-on-the-draw logic. My boys hate playing with me because I always beat them. I met my match playing with my sister. Great quick, simple game.

Bonus Awesomeness: Beethoven's Wig

A total of thirty seconds might elapse in our car before one of my kids asks for to listen to something. That being said, I'm always on the lookout for music that they will enjoy...and that won't drive me crazy in the process.

Enter my latest finding: Beethoven's Wig. Comprised of professional opera singers and a delightful symphonic orchestra, this group plays all the symphonies that you know and love (Moonlight Sonata, Fur Elise, Maple Leaf Rag, Pomp and Circumstance...) but instead of "la-la-la-ing" along as you have until now, this group presents you with hilarious and irreverent words that you sing with gusto! For your listening AND watching pleasure:

Don't forget to peek at my Instagram to see what awesome books we enjoyed this week. Got a favorite resource that fueled your curiosity this week? Leave a comment and point me in the right direction!

#Homeschool #Homeschooling #SpaceProbes #Science #Space #DrEureka #Boardgames #Documentary #Music #Classics #BeethovensWig

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that we have recommended. While clicking these links won't cost you any extra money, they will help us keep this site up and running! Please check out our disclosure policy for more details. Thank you for your support!

Our Favorite Things - Little Women - Ticket to Ride - Instant Pot

In which we check in weekly and update our Favorite Things: resources that fueled our curiosity this past week.

Documentary of the Week: Little Women Masterpiece Classic

Busted! I know that this is not a documentary. But since it is a true-to-the-book movie rendition of an genuine American Classic, I am going to sneak it into my "Educational TV" recommendations. Oh yes, I recommend it BIGLY! If I haven't already dropped the hint enough times, the Engineer and I are major Masterpiece Classics fans and I was delighted to see an American classic on the 2018 season lineup. Two-thirds of the way through the season and I'm so impressed. It's so pretty - the setting, the filming, the dialogue, the costumes. And it's so good - by which I mean that it actually promotes morals, like fighting to overcome negative character traits and being willing to do brave, useful things. I loved the book way back when I when read it as a teenager and this screen rendition makes me remember all the reasons why.

Game of the Week: Ticket to Ride

This is probably the first "gamer's game" that we ever bought. And this past week, we rediscovered it. My boys played daily games and several times I joined them for a bonus game. It never gets old. Educational points for reinforcing the geography of major american cities.

Bonus Awesomeness: Instant Pot

Four years ago, some friends told us that the Instant Pot saved their marriage. Ever since then, the Engineer has prompted me to buy one on Black Friday (or Cyber Monday, or any-day-that-they-are-on-sale). I have a mortal fear of pressure cookers, but I broke down and got one on Prime Day because it was a killer deal.

In my house, we are on day four of a Whole 30 / Paleo Diet adventure (because obviously, every millennial is required to at least once go through a period of turning up their noses at the carb sources that sustained humanity until we were rich enough to eat meat and fat in enormous quantities), and my instant pot is turning out to have been a great investment. Four-pound chuck roll transformed into delectable shredded beef for "tacos" (I'm using scare quote because no, a lettuce leaf is NOT a taco) in one hour! If there's one thing this homeschool mom always could use a little more of, it's time and I anticipate that this nifty appliance should free up a little extra.

Don't forget to peek at my Instagram to see what awesome books we enjoyed this week. Got a favorite resource that fueled your curiosity this week? Leave a comment and point me in the right direction!

#Homeschool #Homeschooling #Classics #LittleWomen #BBCMasterpiece #Instantpot #Boardgames #Geography #TickettoRide #Cooking #Paleo #Whole30

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that we have recommended. While clicking these links won't cost you any extra money, they will help us keep this site up and running! Please check out our disclosure policy for more details. Thank you for your support!