Dancing Elves

We did this last year and the kids just love to watch it over and over. Go and Elf yourself, you’ll be glad you did…

Toy Stores and More…

Have you started your Christmas shopping?  Here are some favorite toy stores in the area.  These are real toy stores…lots of fun!  If you have a local favorite toy store please share.  You can also look at these favorite online stores.  I hope your Christmas shopping is full of joy and a lot of fun!

Toys that Teach is located in Country Village, Bothell

“…We LOVE it! The owner is so friendly and really helpful. And given his limited space, he makes GREAT toy selections. He has many very original and creative toys in his shop…It actually amazes me how much he knows about each individual toy and makes smart, thoughtful recommendations. I really want to see him succeed! …p.s. and a GREAT selection for stocking stuffers (little, less expensive items that are not junk!)”-Kerry

Snapdoodle Toys is located in Kenmore.

“It is the coolest toy store!   It is one of those specialty toy stores that you can find all the toys you won’t find at places like Toys-R-Us.   The neatest thing about it is it is a great rainy day activity place.  The first time we went there, we were there an hour and a half and didn’t even make it into one of the rooms.   For each section of the store, they have “examples” set up for the kids to play with and try out (like a train table, dolls and strollers, an art desk with art supplies and paper at it, etc…many, many other things.)    The owners are the nicest people that are very gracious and love kids.   They also serve free latte’s for the parents.  They have a room in the back of the store that you can rent out for meetings, birthdays, and creating crafts.” – Denise

Top Ten Toys is located in north Seattle.

“Another great store is Top Ten Toys in Seattle.  If you haven’t been there, it’s incredible.  A lot like Snapdoodle, in terms of quality of toys, but much bigger…the place is huge!” – Karen

Land of Nod is located at The University Village in Seattle.

Childrens Bookshop is located in Lynnwood as well as Kent, Puyallup and Burien

Izilla Toys is located in Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood.

“This Capitol Hill toy store, which moved last year from Madison Valley, catapulted to victory by catering to kids as much as to their parents. What 10-year-old wouldn’t like complimentary snacks, a free toy on their birthday, and a 15 percent discount for spending their allowance on the last Sunday of the month? Parents cheer the shop’s “educational, unique toys” and “amazing, friendly, caring staff.” We also salute the free gift-wrapping and the recently added children’s book department.” – NWSource ‘08 Peoples Picks

Teri’s Toybox is located in downtown Edmonds.

Treetop Toys

15752 Redmond Way, Redmond

Archie McPhee’s is located in Wallingford.

“I have never been to Archie McPhee’s.  I have been told and you can read in the comments that there is questionable merchandise found here.  Perhaps a place to shop without the kids to find that odd toy the kid next door doesn’t have?”

Taking Back America

These are great short videos done by a motivational speaker named Bob Bosso playing Thomas Paine.  I thought homeschool students would enjoy them and create some great conversation topics and learning opportunities.

Some possibilities:

• American Revolution
• Declaration of Independence
• Thomas Paine
• Common Sense
• America today

Here is the link to more of his Thomas Paine videos at Fun Bob Bosso.

Checking Out a Movie, TV Show or Video Game

Here are some websites that might be helpful for you to determine if a movie, tv show or video game is right for your family.  I listed them in the order that I use them.  Everyone has differing opinions about what is good and what is not.  I think many of these sites can give you good insight into movies to help you determine if it is good for your family to watch.

Plugged In Online A Focus on the Family website

Common Sense Media

Christian Spotlight on Entertainment

The Dove Foundation

Kids In Mind

I also use Internet Movie Data Base or IMDB to look at ratings of a movie which seem to be pretty accurate.  We will usually not waste our time with any movie rated under a 6.

School of Fish

Passion Narratives

Jesus before Caiaphas

Good Friday, also called Holy Friday or Great Friday, is the Friday preceding Easter Sunday. It commemorates the crucifixion and death of Jesus at Calvary.
In the morning, the whole assembly brings Jesus to the Roman governor Pontius Pilate, under charges of subverting the nation, opposing taxes to Caesar, and making himself a king (Luke 23:1-2). Pilate authorizes the Jewish leaders to judge Jesus according to their own Law and execute sentencing, however the Jewish leaders reply that they are not allowed by the Romans to carry out a sentence of death (John 18:31).

Pilate questions Jesus, and tells the assembly that there is no basis for sentencing. Upon learning that Jesus is from Galilee, Pilate refers the case to the ruler of Galilee, King Herod, who was in Jerusalem for the Passover Feast. Herod questions Jesus but receives no answer; Herod sends Jesus back to Pilate. Pilate tells the assembly that neither he nor Herod have found guilt in Jesus; Pilate resolves to have Jesus whipped and released (Luke 23:3-16).

It was a custom during the feast of Passover for the Romans to release one prisoner as requested by the Jews. Pilate asks the crowd who they would like to be released. Under the guidance of the chief priests, the crowd asks for Barabbas, who had been imprisoned for committing murder during an insurrection. Pilate asks what they would have him do with Jesus, and they demand, “Crucify him” (Mark 15:6-14). Pilate’s wife had seen Jesus in a dream earlier that day; she forewarns Pilate to “have nothing to do with this righteous man” (Matthew 27:19).

Pilate has Jesus flogged, then brings him out to the crowd to release him. The chief priests inform Pilate of a new charge, demanding Jesus be sentenced to death “because he claimed to be God’s son.” This possibility filled Pilate with fear, and he brought Jesus back inside the palace and demanded to know from where he came (John 19:1-9).

Coming before the crowd one last time, Pilate declares Jesus innocent, washing his own hands in water to show he has no part in this condemnation. Nevertheless, Pilate hands Jesus over to be crucified in order to forestall a riot (Matthew 27:24-26). The sentence written is “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews.” Jesus carries his cross to the site of execution, called the place of the Skull, or “Golgotha” in Hebrew and “Calvary” in Latin. There he is crucified along with two criminals (John 19:17-22).

Jesus agonizes on the cross for three hours while the sun is darkened. With a loud cry, Jesus gives up his spirit. There is an earthquake, tombs break open, and the curtain in the Temple is torn from top to bottom. The centurion on guard at the site of crucifixion declares, “Truly this was God’s Son!” (Matthew 27:45-54)

Joseph of Arimathea, a member of the Sanhedrin and secret follower of Jesus, who had not consented to his condemnation, goes to Pilate to request the body of Jesus (Luke 23:50-52). Pilate asks confirmation from the centurion whether Jesus is dead (Mark 15:44). A soldier pierced the side of Jesus with a lance causing blood and water to flow out (John 19:34), and the centurian informs Pilate that Jesus is dead (Mark 15:45).

Joseph of Arimathea takes the body of Jesus, wraps it in a clean linen shroud, and places it in his own new tomb that had been carved in the rock (Matthew 27:59-60) in a garden near the site of crucifixion. Another secret follower of Jesus and member of the Sanhedrin named Nicodemus (John 3:1) also came bringing 75 pounds of myrrh and aloes, and places them in the linen with the body of Jesus, according to Jewish burial customs (John 19:39-40). They rolled a large rock over the entrance of the tomb (Matthew 27:60). Then they returned home and rested, because at sunset began the Sabbath (Luke 23:54-56).

Borrowed from a past blog post on Accredo Christian

The Passion of the Christ, Widescreen DVD By Word Entertainment Inc Destined to become a classic, The Passion of The Christ created quite the media hype before its premiere. Mel Gibson’s stunning masterpiece portrays the final twelve hours of Jesus’ life. This DVD of the international blockbuster film offers an unforgettable experience of the profound love of Christ’s sacrifice. With amazing cinematography and stellar performances by a talented cast, The Passion of the Christ is Christian moviemaking at its best. This film features audio on Aramaic/Latin/Hebrew languages and English subtitles. Close-captioned. Rated R (scenes of graphic violence). Widescreen. Approx. 126 minutes.

Science of the Shoelace

What can you possibly do with all the endless fun, useful and useless, interesting, time consuming, never ending amount of information you can find on the internet?  I don’t know the answer but I do know that I love to share what I find with you.

“Fun, fashion & science in this quirky site about shoelaces. Whether you want to learn to lace shoes, tie shoelaces, stop shoelaces from coming undone, calculate shoelace lengths or even repair aglets, Ian’s Shoelace Site has the answer!”

This is a very amusing website!  You are sure to learn some facts that you never knew were possible!

Ian’s Shoelace Site

Book List for Easter

The Tale of Three Trees By Angela Elwell Hunt / David C. Cook Featuring the wonderful illustrations of Tim Jonke, this best-selling children’s book tells the Easter story from a new and unusual point of view. Three trees on a mountain dream of what they wanted to become when they grew up. One wants to be a treasure chest, another an ocean-going boat, and the third a signpost to God. Their wishes come true in a way they never expected. Children will be deeply touched as they understand, perhaps for the first time, the significance of Christ’s life and his atoning sacrifice on the cross. Recommended for ages 4 and up.

The Legend of the Easter Egg, Picture BookBy Lori Walburg / ZonderkidzIn The Legend of the Easter Egg, young Thomas learns the deeper meaning behind Easter eggs and the Easter story itself.One April morning, a boy and his older sister go outside to gather eggs. “Let’s pretend we’re hunting Easter eggs!” Lucy says. “What are Easter eggs?” Thomas wonders. Later, when Lucy falls sick, Thomas goes to stay with John and Mary Sonneman at their candy store. But all the candy he could desire does not cure Thomas’s aching heart. Only when Mary Sonneman shares with him the story of Easter does he understand the hope he has–and what he can do about his sister’s illness.Featuring the beloved setting and characters from the best-selling Legend of the Candy Cane, this moving story takes us deeper into the mystery of Christianity. Dramatic illustrations by James Bernardin underscore the chilling fear of separation and death–and the dazzling joy of reunion and new life. Recommended for ages 4 to 8.

The Parable of the Lily, 10th Anniversary Edition: The Parable Series #2By Liz Curtis Higgs / Tommy NelsonWhen Maggie, the farmer’s daughter, receives a mysterious gift, she’s disappointed to find it’s only some dirt and a lifeless bulb. But after tossing it out, she discovers that what was dead has come to life as a beautiful Easter lily! Kids will cherish the 10th anniversary edition of Higgs’s beloved story of love, giving, and forgiving. Recommended for ages 3 to 7.

My First Story of Easter By Tim Dowley / Moody Publishers Looking for a traditional rendition of Easter story to read to your 4- to 7-year-olds? Tim Dowley’s My First Story of Easter retells the biblical account in simple terms, complete with bright, cheery illustrations that are sure to put a smile on the face of the reader. This Easter, give the children in your life the best gift of all–a story that explains the reason for the season–not the Easter bunny and colored eggs, but rather Christ crucified and resurrected! Recommended for ages 4 to 7.

The Very First Easter, Softcover By Paul L. Maier / Concordia Publishing House This book offers a historically accurate description of the events surrounding Jesus’ death and resurrection through Scripture and beautiful artwork.Ten-year-old Christopher wants to know the story behind the story and learns important details about this miraculous event that help him understand the season’s celebration. He also discovers his own special link to the very first Easter. The award-winning team of Paul L. Maier and Francisco Ordaz work together again to bring children a vivid picture of Jesus’ last days on Earth. The Very First Easter makes a wonderful gift children, families, and friends. Recommended for ages 9 to 12.

Easter Bunny, Are You for Real? Picture Book By Harold Myra / Thomas Nelson What does the Easter Bunny have to do with Easter? Images of the Easter Bunny and egg hunts often seem to overshadow the real meaning of this important Christian holiday. Hopping to the rescue is Easter Bunny, Are You For Real? Through an entertaining story and fun illustrations, children will learn the history behind the holiday, and see beyond the cuddly commercialism to the true celebration of our risen Christ! Recommended for ages 3 to 8.

ESV Deluxe Compact Bible TruTone Chestnut, Crown Design By Crossway Books & Bibles The ESV Deluxe Compact Bible enhances the features that earned the ESV Compact Thinline Bible such popularity. The deluxe edition’s slightly larger trim size and larger font allow it to retain its classic portability while improving its readability.

The Marva Collins Story

The Marva Collins Story.  I will give this movie two thumbs up!   It’s an’ inspirational movie about a woman, Marva Collins,  who reformed the education in her town.  After teaching public school in Alabama and Chicago for 16 years, and being dissatisfied with the way she saw children being taught, Ms. Collins decided to open her own school in 1975 on the second floor of her home in Chicago’s inner city. The Westside Preparatory School accepted children who were labeled learning disabled, problem children, and even borderline retarded by traditional public schools. By the end of their first year, each and every child had improved their scores by at least five grades.

At its best it may influence you, in whatever role you have with children or education, to raise the standards and to stand up to a failing system in whatever way is applicable in your life.

Support Homeschoolers When You Shop

The next time you shop online, consider clicking through to your favorite retailer on Home School Legal Defense Association’s Clicks 4 Homeschooling site. When you click through one of their links to make an online purchase, a portion of your purchase amount is given back to HSLDA for the work of the Home School Foundation which primarily provides assistance to needy homeschool families.

There are so many retailers’ links on their list, I think you will be surprised.  Here are just a few of the online retailers who participate in HSLDA’s Clicks 4 Homeschooling:

• Target.com
• Walmart.com
• eBay.com
• Barnes and Noble
• Oriental Trading Company
• Zoobooks magazine
• Best Buy
• Buy.com
• Lands’ End
• Overstock.com
• Office Depot
• The Apple Store
• Sonlight Curriculum
• Alpha Omega Publications

What a great way to support homeschooling!  Of course if you do shop at Amazon or Vision Forum I would certainly appreciate you continuing to use my link too.  And thank you for supporting 100 Digits!

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