Internship for High School Credit (Homeschool Review Crew)

It’s true. I have a high-schooler. I know! It won’t be too long before my young man will be charting the course for his life and career. Have you ever heard of internships? I just got a chance to review Internshipfor High School Credit from Apologia Educational Ministries.

I have reviewed quite a number of products from Apologia Educational Ministries over the years. They do good work. They are probably most known for their Creation-based sciences, but they have lots of great stuff that will bless a homeschool family.

This book is a brand new resources. It is written by Sherri Seligson and provides step by step help in planning and implementing a successful internship. It is not only a guidebook, but it’s a workbook for both parents and students.

Let me break it down for you.

Part I: Getting Started

This section helps the student choose what sort of internship he or she would like to undertake. It also includes how write a resume and prepare for the interview.

Part II: Information for Parents

This section is specifically for parents. It deals with how to document transcripts and helps you figure out the credits and grading during an internship.

Part III: First Semester

This sections contains worksheets for evaluating and documenting.

Part IV: Second Semester

This section contains MORE worksheets. They are just specific to the end of the year concerns and things to think about it.

Part V: Course Wrap-Up

This teaches students how to write thank you notes, etc. There is a final writing assignment involved, as well.

How We Used It

Now Josiah isn’t quite ready for an internship. However, I would love to help him prepare for one in future. I think it’s a fabulous and innovative way to introduce students to a possible career.

In some ways, I think it would be helpful for all students to do an internship in a career field they are interested in. For example, I had no aspirations to be a teacher when I was younger. It wasn’t something that wasn’t even on my radar. It wasn’t until I started working at a preschool when I was a young woman that I realized I had a knack and that in turn changed my educational goals and plans.

There are so many practical suggestions and helps. For example, there is a list of what bring to an interview. There are also some helpful hints going into the interview. Being on time? Yes! Sit up straight and appear interested? Yes!

I found the chapter with information especially for parents to be extremely helpful. It provides labor laws and upon reading this particular section I found out that states don’t allow minors to perform dangerous jobs. Which takes Josiah’s desire to work as intern with a storm chasing outfit off the table.

For those of who are anxious about assign High School credit for the course there are guidelines.

The worksheets included in the course cover a variety of topics. For example, there is a question about work attire. Another question requires the student to think critically about the career field they are interning in. Is it a fit? Does that student possess that necessary spark of passion it takes to pursue that particular career? The student is also asked to ask his or her supervisor for constructive feedback.

Farther along in the internship, students are write about any victories or struggles during the internship. They are also encouraged to view any unpleasant experiences as a way to grow spiritually.

I LOVE that!

Included towards the end of the book are forms meant to be filled out by the supervisor. There is also helps with writing a thank you letter to employs and how to approach the supervisor for letter of recommendation.

Of course, I haven’t listed everything included in the book, but I hope I have shared with you enough tidbits to spark your interest. This is an EXCELLENT resource.

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Just Trucking Along

My friends! Hope your day is swimming along quite nicely.

This is VBS week at our church.

GURRL!

You should see my house. Actually. Don't come over. I still have a basket of clean clothes that hasn't been touched since last week except to look for spare socks and undies.

You know the drill.

Things are much worse than I'm letting on. 😉

My living room and dining room table is covered with posterboard and Bible story props. 'Cause you can't do anything properly without glue sticks, brightly colored posterboard and glitter in my opinion.

Today Josiah and I are going to a library program. I'm not sure what it's about. It just appease my conscience  a little bit. We are supposed to be catching up on homeschool stuff  from the Mays to end all Mays.

I actually went to water aerobics yesterday. I hadn't been in 3 weeks! It did feel good though. In fact, it felt so good that I stopped and got some Chicken Mcnuggets at McDonald's on the way home.

Awesome.

I'm also knee deep in preparations for Cousin Camp. Yep! It's that time of year again. We are having a tropical theme this year. I was hoping for a little beach volleyball and a coconut smoothie sipping on the back deck and calling it good,but Mom likes to keep them busy.

If my Dad had his choice they would spend the whole week doing farm chores.

Well,my sweets. I've got to get back to the chore at large.Namely a Scripture verse poster I'm working on. And maybe a load of laundry. 😭

Have a beautiful week!

Nature's Beautiful Order (Homeschool Review Crew)

We have reviewed a lot of products from Memoria Press. I am always thrilled with anything we get. They just do good work. The past few weeks we’ve been reviewing something just a little different from our usual Memoria Press products. This time around we have been looking at a science study  called Nature’s Beautiful Order.

This product is intended for grades 6-9. It can also be used as a supplement for higher level biology students. We received a Student Textbook, a consumable Student guide and a Teacher Key.

The Student Textbook contains 18 lessons about animals from the land, air and sea. The lessons aren’t fluffy, that’s for sure.

You will find lessons for:

The Cat

The Lobster

The Cuttlefish

The Sea Urchin

The Bee

The Trout

The Frog

The Turtle

The Canada Goose

The Miracle of Flight

Day's Herald Bird

Birds at Home

The Groundhog

The White-Tailed Deer

The Carnivora

Farm Friends

Man the Upright Animal

Man the Steward

The Student Guide has a variety of questions for each lesson. What I appreciate about Memoria Press are that these questions involve real thought. No multiple choice here! 

I found the Teacher’s Guide to be a great help. I didn’t have to think so much ;<)

For our part, Josiah and I worked through the book and questions together. He is dyslexic and I have found that reading together or reading aloud greatly reduces the frustration level. As I mentioned above, this material isn’t fluffy. It can be quite challenging. It is truly rich material.

You need to know first that this study celebrates those classical naturalists who felt that a student needs to study first about those things that are interesting to them. Not necessarily parts of cells or obscure scientific terminology. Instead we are to look with curiosity and wonder about the things around us. What does nature tells us about our world and the natural order of things?

Students are encouraged to observe and we are introduced to great observations of natural scientists during the course of the study.

I want to share with you just a few elements of the very first lesson The Cat. This is the lesson that Josiah and I both appreciate fully...given the fact that we are extremely fond of Princess the Siamese Cat who rules our household with a gentle, but particular hand.

The scientist introduced in this lesson is Dr. St-George Mivart who lived in the 1800's. We understand that the Domestic Cat came to us from the East (Egypt is obviously mentioned) and that it was a great crime in some countries to kill a cat...such were their valuable contributions (namely mouse killer).

After explaining the general details of cats (differences between wild and domesticated, life-span, etc.), how we, as natural scientists, go about observing and comparing and distinguishing.  How do living things differ from non-living things? How do animals differ from plants?

The rest of the book takes us through a very interesting study of the Animal Kingdom.

The questions in the Student Guide can be used in a variety of ways. We used them primarily as discussion starters. Because the reading requires more than a nominal amount of attention, I wanted to be sure that Josiah was "getting it."

One question in the Lesson I made me think about scientific observation and how I had been taught science when I was growing up.

Here is the question.

Why is important to recall that we naturally learn by making distinctions? 

In my youth I would have given this question a polite, but blank stare.

Here is the answer given to us in the Teacher's Key.

Because when we remember that point, our learning will be more easily won and retained. By continually asking, "What is it?" and "How is it different from what I already know?" Our little steps will give us solid gains of knowledge. 

If you are a fan of the Charlotte Mason or Classical method of teaching you understand! It inspired me to spend more time during our school day observing!

This is a neat study. Check it out!

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One of those Mays

Good morning, my friends.

Long time no type. I've been busy.

And tired.

And busy.

I can't possibly tell you everything that has happened over the past few weeks (has it been that long?), but I thought I would share a few of the finer moments.

Get ready. Some of them are gnarly.


Like this one. Notice that lovely little dent in Lucy the Ford? Yup. It was caused by a deer. A deer. A deer who happened to fling herself in front of her car on our way to District Council this year. District Council is our annual Pastor's meeting.

We left on a Sunday night after church to deliver Josiah to his grandparents house before heading on to the meeting. What you can't see in this picture was that we had stopped out in front of a Dollar General Store. AND that the headlight had been tucked back into place before The Muffin taped it all nicely with some fancy Duct Tape.

We are just waiting for the body shop to give us a call.

But before THIS happened the blessed gift of The Strep Throat came upon me.

GURLLL! Strep Throat?

Who has time for Strep Throat?

Not this lady.

And then there was District Council, the Women's Ministry Mother's Day event, my Parents coming to visit 😀 And The Muffin's Parents coming and THEN Josiah's birth great-grandparents coming....

Shew!

It was all wonderfully, mad, busy and fun!

But I. Am. Tired.

Or "Tarred" as we say in the hills.

Somehow (and I was talking about this with my Momma)...I missed May. I know stuff happened. LOTS of stuff happened, but I don't remember much of it. I was too busy. Too sick. Just plain worn slick.

I don't want my summer to be one that happened while I wasn't looking!

So I've decided that I need to take action. I've got my trusty spiral notebook and sparkly gel pens. I'm making a list. Checking it twice.

I know. Vacation Bible Study is coming up. The church picnic. Father's Day and then Cousin Camp!

I'm writing a history course and something else that I can't list off the top of my head (it's good I know it!). However, I don't want to neglect sitting on front porch. Trips down to the Dairy Queen for a Sugar Free Dilly Bar. Walks on a summer evening and iced tea.

I want to make a tomato and zucchini frittata  so Josiah and The Muffin can complain about it. I want to start my annual summer mystery novel marathon. Who should I read this year? Christie? Perry? Funke?

If I have learned anything in my years on the planet (all 29 of them), I have learned that you have to savor those little moments. Take advantage of those simple things that don't seem like they would matter in the big picture.

I don't do a great job of it all the time...but I sure have fun catching up.

Ben Carson (YWAM Publishing) Homeschool Review Crew

We really enjoy reading true life stories about people that have made a difference in life. We have been fortunate over the years to read and review several such stories from YWAM Publishing. This time around Josiah picked Ben Carson: A Chance at Life from their Heroes of History series to review. We also received a Study Guide.

Heroes of History is a biographical series featuring men and women of history. The books are intended for ages 10 and up and feature a Unit Study that can be purchased, as well. We have always found these books from YWAM to be engaging and informative.

You might recognize Ben Carson from the presidential election. In our house, we’ve been following him for a few years. What an inspiring story he has! He grew up in poverty. He was a struggling learner, encountered racism and struggled with anger. His single mother was am exceptional woman. She worked more than one job to make ends meet. She was bound and determined that her kids were going to rise above their circumstances. At some point she began attending church. She and her boys committed their lives to Christ. It has been obvious from the interviews I have seen of Ben Carson that this commitment has not wavered.

When Ben struggled in school she started requiring her boys to read two books every week AND write a book report. They could watch minimal television. She expected a lot from her boys…ironically, because she, herself, was illiterate.

Of course, we know now that this poor kid became a pediatric neurosurgeon at John Hopkins Hospital. He was the first surgeon to successfully separate twins joined at the head.  What the book does not tell us is that Ben Carson became the Secretary of Health and Urban Development. It was written before it happened!

Ben Carson Heroes of History Unit Study Guide came in digital form.  It is divided up into the following sections.

Introduction

Key Quotes

Display Corner

Chapter Questions

Student Explorations

Community Links

Social Studies

Related Themes to Explore

Culminating Events

Appendix A: Book and Resources

Appendix B: Answers to the Chapter Questions

Appendix C: Social Studies Reproducible

I want to show you a few screen shots of the Study Guide. I used the handy dandy feature that allowed me to move between options on my computer.

You can see the various tabs available. The "Ben Carson" tab just gives you a brief summary of his life.

The real magic happens in the Unit Study. Here you can see there are Chapter Questions given for each chapter.

 One of my favorite sections is the Student Explorations. They are fun, creative and appeal to a variety of learning styles.

 The Unit Study Part 2 tab takes you to several printables; such as a timeline, outline maps and more.

Other handy resources are under the Bonus Materials tab. These include materials for all of the books. Notice the author interviews at the bottom. YWAM has thought of everything for a truly complete and interesting study. We enjoyed looking at the chronological overview and map.

This was such an enjoyable review. I frankly didn't expect anything less. Our experiences with YWAM publishing over the years have been exceptional.

I loved being able to point to the list of books available and say, "Okay, Josiah. Who do you want to read about next?" Most importantly, I loved being able to provide my son with an inspirational story of a man who overcame the obstacles in his life. We admire Dr. Carson's humility. This book truly pointed to his love for his Savior.

For Josiah's part, he enjoyed reading the book itself. If you follow my blog you know that Josiah is dyslexic. For many years, we have used books like this as our read alouds. This time around, I was able to assign Josiah independent reading. Of course, he didn't read as much at one time, but I know he felt a sense of accomplishment.

You need this one in your family library!

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The Typing Coach (Homeschool Review Crew)

Do you remember taking typing in High School? I do. My teacher was a very proper lady who went around adjusting the curve of one’s fingers and posture. We learned on REAL typewriter’s with a bottle of whiteout by our sides (though accuracy was encouraged above all things!). Things have changed. However, the need to learn to type has not.  Part of Josiah’s summer rotation is going to be a typing course. I have been reviewing The Typing Coach Online Typing Course from The The Typing Coach.

This course teaches basic typing skills. It is completely self-paced and systematic.

The suggested pace for the lesson is contingent on the student. I decided I wanted Josiah to move through the Slower Paced Lessons. You cannot move one in the lessons with any errors and I didn’t want him to get discouraged. Each lesson begins with an audio lesson and a printed page for practice. You are allowed to use any word processing software for practice. Once the student feels as if he or she has mastered the lesson, she can take a test. As the student is learning to type without looking at the keyboard or monitor the percentage of accuracy and efficiency is higher in the long run.  In fact, using the backspace and delete keys is forbidden!

It is not uncommon for kids of this generation to be familiar with a keyboard of some sort. Most have been texting or pecking out emails from an early age. I was especially pleased to see those lessons that I learned in my High School Typing course all those years ago emphasized with this course. Posture! Posture! Posture! And because Josiah is a first rate 2 finger typist, it was a little harder for him to break that bad habit.

The Slower Paced Lessons takes a bit more time with the core lessons. I found this to be a better fit for Josiah.  He needs more time and more reinforcement. As he wishes to be more proficient in typing he hasn’t fussed too much!  I also have a confession. I haven’t had him take any of the proficiency tests yet (with the exception of the practice tests) but I can show you how it all works and WHY it is working.

This is a screen shot of the Posture Lesson page. There are a variety of videos to watch and audio lessons to listen to. The video of the cute kid practicing good posture was really helpful. Josiah does better when he can see what he should be doing.

The next lesson is the Home Row. Everything the student needs to know is in that audio lesson. There are tips, instruction and encouragement. I did listen to the audio lesson beforehand so I could answer any questions Josiah might have or know when he was slacking off. For example, there does come a time when he had to cover the monitor to see if what he was typing was correct.

 Along with the audio and video lessons (where applicable) there is a Student Packet and a Learning Checks Packet to print out. Neither will empty your ink cartridge.    

After the student has completed the lesson without ANY errors it's time to move on to the Testing Center. This is the deal. They can't move on until they score 100% on the test. At least, they are encouraged not to move on. The goal here is accuracy..not speed. This is why I felt the Slower Paced Lessons would be better for us.

After the student masters a lesson, he or she simply moves on to the next lesson.

Here are a few things you might want to know.

1. I read this in one of the "helps." One parent started covering up all the practice lines above and below the one currently being practiced on. For those of you who have kiddos who struggle with dyslexia (as Josiah does) this is a BIG help!

2. Make sure you overemphasize to your student the need to check the CAPS key and finger placement. This will help frustration levels.

3. You can use any word processing program. We have Microsoft Word.

4. There are Typing Tickets and an incentive chart to help motivate good work. Josiah is having fun trying to increase his speed and accuracy.

5. You will need audio, a way to print off the Student Packets and a good internet connection. You don't have to Microsoft Word. Some are using Google Docs or Notepad.

This is program is a keeper! I have found it easy to follow and I love that it puts the emphasis on all the right things like accuracy and professionalism.

You can check out Typing Coach via the following social media outlets. Don't forget to click on the banner below for more reviews!

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Thin Stix (Kwik Stix) Homeschool Review Crew

It’s no secret.  I love art supplies! This might have something to do that my momma is an artist and I have never had a single moment in my life where there hasn’t been a paint brush, colored pencil or blow dryer (if you happen to be doing watercolor) stashed away somewhere. That is why I was so EXCITED to get to review Thin Stix 6pk of Classic Colors from The Pencil Grip, Inc.

If you aren’t familiar with Kwix Stix let me fill you in. They are solid tempera paint sticks that dry in 90 seconds. They also don’t make a huge mess. And if you have ever painted with children you know what I’m talking about. This means there are no paint brushes, nasty water cups or smocks to deal with.

I’ve had plenty of experience with the Kwik Stix and have found them to be so much fun to work with! You can use them on any kind of paper, cardboard, wood or canvas.

The Thin Stix were created to use with projects that required finer detail. I received a 6pk of Classic Colors. One of my favorite pastimes is to doodle in a journal. I find it peaceful and I can spend time with my boys while they are watching some kind of sporting event on television.

I use a variety of mediums in my journal. Colored pencils, gel pens, gel crayons, etc. I wanted to see if the Thin Stix would be something I could add to my collection.

The journal I use is a simple lined journal I purchased at my local superstore. I am not a stranger to using Kwix Stix and have used the originals (in addition to some extra pretty metallic and neons) for art projects for homeschool and parties.

I am well aware that they are excellent for making posters, creating wrapping paper, painting on wood and much more! I have used them on regular paper, but I wanted also to see if they managed the thin paper of my journal.

This first project has some finer detail that didn't handle the Kwik Stix as well. They are thinner than the original Stix, but not quite thin enough, as say a colored pencil or  marker. However, you can see that the colors (though smudgy) are brilliant.

This project didn't require as much finer detail. The vivid color leant itself to the cartoon quality of my project. I did, however, have a harder time blending the colors.

This project is going to eventually be some sort of background, but I wanted you to see the thickness of the Thin Stix. What I LOVE about these is that they completely cover. I didn't have to draw my line but once. The color is thick and has great coverage.

For this project I struggled most with the flower. The tips aren't fine enough color detail, BUT you can write over the Kwix Stix paint with a permanent marker for lines and detail. Some products don't allow you to do that. I did find with this project that I could add some interest by layering the yellow over the green to change the color tone a bit.

 So here are my thoughts in a nutshell.

I was hoping that the Thin Stix would be a bit thinner. I do a lot of drawings with fine detail and I don't think I was able show my best. HOWEVER, the con(s) absolutely are silenced back into the art closet of shame. I LOVE, LOVE how brilliant the colors are. Kwik Stix have an extra super silky texture and they are extremely fun to use. They color a larger space without the hassle of a marker. In fact, I didn't get a picture, but I created a sign for a project that simply says "cute." It took me half the time and I was pleased as punch at the results.

Another BIG deal is that Kwik Stix only take 90 seconds to dry. You heard that! 90 seconds! Think about all the little wooden birdhouses you could paint this summer.

My plans involve my great collection of Kwix Stix and canvas bags at our annual Cousin Camp this summer.  There is NO mess! There won't be hours of trying to resurrect dried out acrylic paint. They will fit nicely in a box and we won't have to spend hours trying to scrub paint out of clothing.

Another benefit for me is that the Thin Stix are easily portable. I like to take my journal on trips so I can doodle on the road. These easily fit in my art box. They add another fun tool for me to use.

Thin Stix Kwik Stix is fun, fun! Go check them out!

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Captain Absolutely (Homeschool Review Crew)

I have a confession to make. I didn’t actually do a lot of prep work for this review. When we received Captain Absolutely from Focus On The Family in the mail, I handed it over to Josiah.

There were a few things that compelled me to beg ask to be on this review.

First, the main character’s real name is Josiah. I know! My Josiah is 15 and for a few years he went through a real struggle with his name. He would only answer to Starkiller or Joe (true story). Now he’s at peace about it and actually introduces himself as “Josiah.”

I’d say that’s progress.

And then the Captain Absolutely character comes from the Adventures in Odyssey. We have LOVED Adventures in Odyssey for years. Another reason (and a biggie) is that Josiah is dyslexic. He is doing really good, but I seldom can hand him a book and say “read this” without some hesitation on his part.

The comic book format was PERFECT for my guy.

So let’s talk about Captain Absolutely. He was a mild mannered young man (named Josiah King) who becomes his superhero counterpart via a radioactive explosion and a room filled with banned books that happen to be Bibles.

His nemesis is Dr. Relative. There are equally creepy villains along the way to battle and we learn what the Bible has to say about real truth and how to live it in a sin filled world.

Before I give you Josiah’s opinion (which he was excited to give) let me tell you about what I thought. The comic book is really well made. The pictures are colorful and engaging. It is not a wimpy comic, but a good, substantial book that will appeal to moms and kiddos alike.

I think the age level for this product will depend on your kiddo. I certainly recommend it for elementary and up. It is not so babyish that it won’t appeal to older kids who enjoy comics. There is certainly plenty of action scenes and tension.

For my part, I LOVE that there is a whole lot of Scripture and discussion concerning things we face in today’s society.

In the back of the book there is a section called Big Questions.

From….Why should you clean up your own messes? To…. Are you willing to suffer for God?

And one of my favorites…Why do Christians care about hygiene and appearance?

Preach, Captain Absolutely.

There are even page numbers directing you to the portion of the comic book that deals with each issue. There is also a section that outlines each character. And we loved the part that talks about the real King Josiah in the Bible.

Here are Josiah’s thoughts.

“I really liked this comic. I like that the main superhero’s name is Josiah. He helps to teach us about God’s Word and what is right and wrong. I hope they make more of them.”

This one is a winner!

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Sicky and Paper Flowers (pics of our Mother's Day tables)

Good morning! Or is it good afternoon where you are?

I have a very sad tale to tell.

I have STREP THROAT! That's right. You might just back away from your computer screen. I also am blessed to have a secondary infection (sinus).

Yay! You know how much fun all of this is.

The kicker is that I was sick for daayyys before I actually went into the doctor.

I was in the middle of one of those "it will pass if I give it a few days."

Yup. I'm one of those.

I blame my momma. She has been suffering with a dislocated rib for no telling how long. Sherry Lou! You know what I mean....

I am on antibiotics, but still feeling like I've been knocked around. Last night I had the weirdest dream. I had a dream that there were 3 HUGE penguins in our backyard.

I feel eeked out. Have you ever just felt eeked out? Even my eyelashes are sick and tired.

Today I want to share a few pics from our Mother's Day event we had at our church. There are a few things  you need to know.

I was deep in the grasps of undiagnosed strep throat so I didn't get all the pictures I wanted to take. In fact, I took like 2 or 3 on the actual day and I used someone else's camera to take them. AND I couldn't even think straight enough to figure out how to turn the camera on. So the pictures I'm about to show you are from the day before...just after we had decorated.

I can't even believe I exposed all of those sweet ladies to strep throat. Because I had all of the other symptoms of a sinus infection (or at least an upper respiratory infection) I never dreamed I was contagious like that. I literally felt so bad, but didn't feel like I could do anything but soldier forward.

We ladies aren't really good about setting boundaries for ourselves, are we?

Our event was called the "All Daughters Salad Luncheon." Someone in our church years ago had the thoughtfulness to declare the Mother's Day event to be for All Daughters...since everyone can be called a daughter. This way, those who are childless or who have lost their mothers don't feel isolated and alone.

I understand. I was that childless woman for many years.

Anyhoo. I just want to show you the pics I took.

Our event was called "What's in Your Wordrobe?"

I made a bunch of these huge paper flowers. I had the best time making them!

We attached all the flowers to this arbor a talented carpenter in our church made for a wedding we had at the church early in the year. I purchased the dress form from Amazon and she is now going to sit in my bedroom. I had been looking for one so it worked out!

For the tables we used white paper tablecloths and pink and purple plastic table covers that were used the week before for a precious ladies 89th birthday party! The purse gift bags I found at Dollar Tree and all the cups and saucers are mine. Yes. They are mine. I see where you are going with this.

 We used doilies from my paper doily stash (from my party bucket) to make an easy runner. We set the table with these pretty teal plates and polka dotted napkins. We also included the invitation card for the event and added a scripture card they could take home as a memento.

The theme for the event was inspired by a devotion that my friend and fellow event planner was reading. She handed me this quote and we used it to create our party around.

This is a portion of the room. You can see a dress hanging towards the back. We styled a couple of outfits and hung them on the wall (complete with shoes and jewelry). We also had a table set up of extra hats the ladies could wear if they wished. I also meant to take a picture of the goody bags we sent everybody home with.

I still might do a follow up post on how we did everything, but right now my brain is mush and I think I see penguins in the backyard. As it is I am going to have go back through all the blog posts and reviews I've done in the past week or so and edit them. No telling what I've been saying.

Have a beautiful weekend!