This past weekend we took a trip with some extended family to Asheville, NC to see the Biltmore (as in – we have family visiting from the Netherlands!). We were also there to say goodbye to some dear friends who are moving to Texas, but tried to make it a bit educational as well!

That’s what we’re supposed to do, right?

I’m relieved to tell you all that we didn’t break one item in any of the gift stores and no alarms were set off during the entire house tour. Can I tell you a few things we really enjoyed?

• Kids are FREE. Originally I purchased a yearly pass to the Biltmore so that the kids would be free when we visited, but for the summer of 2014 (starting May 23rd through Labor Day, kids are free)
• The tour of the house is so much fun – but no pictures allowed. That part kind of stinks, but you would really miss some of the little details if your face was always behind the camera.
• The audio tours for kids ROCK! Granted we only got one and there may have been a wee bit of fighting over that precious hand-held device, but a few of the kids were loving the trivia bites they provided.
• The beautiful gardens and ponds = fabulous for kids to move and explore. We found tadpoles, heard various birds, explored the gardens and flowers, and more.
• The farm was equally as fun! Chickens, horses, goats…just an added little bonus if you have kids that love animals.
• Grape stomping – some squishy fun for sure.

If you’re interested, you can also print off some educational helps when planning your trip. We didn’t this time, but might in the future!

There was so much to talk about during our two-day visit. After having visited last Christmas, the Biltmore has been one of those places that I’ve wanted to return to visit, and I’m sure we’ll be back again. Truthfully, the adults want to take another visit back in the fall (ALL ALONE) and just soak in the beauty and quiet (grins).

What is one historical place you’ve visited and loved?

This post was in no way sponsored by Biltmore Estates. We paid for our own tickets (including my yearly membership and two additional adult tickets).

Somehow my non-fiction book pile keeps growing. First, Say Goodbye to Survival Mode from Crystal Paine made it in my immediate read pile (it was good!!) and now Smart Money, Smart Kids by Dave Ramsey has been stacked on the pile. Rick and I are wrapping up a Financial Peace class so this one will likely get bumped to the top of the list since it’s where we’re at right now.

We won’t even mention all the other books that have been recently released (all non-fiction) that are patiently sitting in my Amazon cart biding their time. FIRST I have to finish a few of the books that were on my 12 Books to Read in 2014 list – and well, those other ones that somehow sneak into the pile.

On the Non-Fiction Side…

But first, there are a few books that can now be crossed off the list (or almost):

• Prayers for Boys by Brooke McGlothlin – really not a difficult read, but one that you will want to keep handy to grab during the day for prayer prompts and Scripture to pray over your boys. This one is sitting on my nightstand and will be one to reference throughout the rest of the year.
• 24/6 by Matthew Sleeth – another easy read and a great reminder on the importance of rest and a Sabbath time. The author himself was a doctor and worked weekends, so his ‘sabbath’ was a set-aside day during the week.
• Start by Jon Acuff – it was started (haha), but got put aside. On the list to finish in May. Since it’s supposed to be more motivational, I figure I should have some time put aside to focus on it and all the brilliant ideas that may pour out of my brain when the motivation kicks in, right?
• Loving Our Kids on Purpose by Danny Silk – so far this has been my favorite book on the list. I am really loving the parenting approach, feeling a wee bit beyond chastised (it’s all good), but really inspired to change several of the parenting methods we (and I’m talking both myself and my hubby) use with our kids. To give you an idea how much I’m loving the book, we ordered the DVD series that go along with it – yep, definite like.

Favorite Fiction Reads

As for my personal fiction reading – well, that never seems to slow down. Have I mentioned how much I love my Kindle? Note: the Kindle is on SALE for $49 right now!!).  I literally fall asleep most nights with my Kindle in hand (no backlighting), but occasionally I do get sucked in by a good paperback as well.

The last two months have given me quite a bit of travel time which translated to a LOT of light reading. Here are a few of the books that have found a permanent place on my bookshelf:

• Seeking Persephone, Courting Miss Lancaster, Friends and Foes – all by Sarah Eden. All of these are Regency-era books (a period I really enjoy).
• Washington’s Lady by Siri Mitchell – this book was even more enjoyable because it was a Kindle freebie just before our trip to Mount Vernon (the one where we set off numerous security alarms).
• And I really cannot wait to dig into Silenced by Dani Pettrey. She’s a fellow homeschool mom (woot!!) and if you enjoy books by Dee Henderson, you will love her books!

If you’d like a peek at all the books I’ve read so far this year, check out my Books Read in 2014 Pinterest board. Reading is my winding down time at night, and most nights I am literally nodding off holding a book.

Reading with the Kids

Our read-aloud pile is taking its sweet time in dwindling. The bulk of that is my fault (yeah – I would be the one who is supposed to read). Yes, I could likely squeeze in more time, but over the past month, reading aloud has taken a backseat. I am well aware that several of you may have just gasped in horror.

On the bright side, the three oldest have been reading on their own like crazy, and we are listening to plenty of audiobooks – so I’m holding on to that right now.

What books have you read and enjoyed (or NOT enjoyed) lately? Leave a comment and share!

Truly – my heart is to give and bless you all when I can. So many authors of the Ultimate Homemaking Bundle are giving away bonuses to those who purchase through their link and this morning it finally hit me – there IS something that I can share with you all as well. (Hello, to a ‘duh’ moment for me!)

When you get the bundle through me, as an additional thank you, you get both the Pocket Chart Calendar Number Cards set AND the Holiday Special Occasion Card set FREE! Just email me a copy of your receipt and the downloads will be on their way to you. (And yes, if you already ordered it, you can still get the freebie!)

The sale ends TODAY (Monday) at 11:59pm EST. It will not be available again, but you can choose the option to buy now and pay later on Friday, May 1st. (Hello, payday!).

Bottom line: 80 + resources valued at $900 for under $30. No more after today! Take a few minutes and look at all the eBooks and bonuses included (it really is an incredible deal). 

 

Thanks for being fabulous readers!

Here are a few deals and a giveaway that you might not want to miss. Several of these are time sensitive, so be sure to check them out soon.

If you are ready to start your homeschool planning for next year, find out how you can get TWO homeschool planners –  for less than ONE DOLLAR – yep, you read that right! One of them is the Weekly Homeschool Planner, and it’s part of an amazing bundle that is only available through Monday, April 28th.

All About Learning Press is giving away a complete Level 1 Spelling program (or other level if you already own Level 1). The giveaway ends Tuesday, April 29th. Enter to win HERE.

Compass Classroom is having one of their BIGGEST sales this spring. You can save up to 50% on their video curriculum, including Latin, History, Bible and more.

All About Reading also has a brand-new FREE app – Letter Sounds A to Z! The free app features clear enunciation of the sounds of the 26 alphabet letters and can be used on your computer, tablet, or phone.

Click here to download your free app today!

That’s it for this weekend. If you have any other great deals to share, feel free to leave a comment!