Songs
Multiplication CD by Twin Sisters
This past year in school the girls started learning their Multiplication facts. They actually had a good start with multiplication because they had been listening to the Multiplication CD by Twin Sisters for awhile now. Karlie was actually given an award (and medal) this year for having the Highest Math Achievement in her class.
While listening to a CD about Multiplication does not teach you everything you need to know it definitely can help give you a head start or help you pick up speed in a certain subject. One of our girls learns very well through audio processing so any educational CD’s like this one from Twin Sisters is a big positive for her. Both of our kids love listening to CD and audio books and this one is a bonus because they are learning something important too!
You can get this CD online at Amazon or in several bookstores. We actually found it for $2 at Garden Ridge in their CD clearance section. It has definitely been with the couple dollars we invested in it!
Oceans by Twin Sisters
The girls enjoy listening to music every night when they go to sleep. Some of their most popular CD’s to listen to at night, in the car, or even when at home is the from the Twin Sisters Productions. Oceans by Twin Sisters Productions is part of their Science Series. It has a lot of great songs about whales, sea turtle, and other ocean life.
Some of the Songs:
- Adventures by the Ocean
- Save the Sea Turtles
- Manatees Are Loveable Huge Things
- It’s the Dolphin Symphony
- They’re Really Blubbery
- Blue Whale, Blue Whale
- Shy Octopus
- I ‘m The Great White Shark
- Sea Otter, Won’t You Play With Me?
- And MORE!
If you have a kid that is fascinated with the ocean, sea life, loves animals, and learning this is a great CD. Our girls have had this one for several years now and still love to listen to it.
Hold My Heart by Tenth Avenue North
How long must I pray
Must I pray to You
How long must I wait
Must I wait for You
How long till I see Your face
See You shining throughI’m on my knees
Begging You to notice me
I’m on my knees
Father, will You turn to meOne tear in the driving rain
One voice in a sea of pain
Could the maker of the stars
Hear the sound of my breaking heart
One life, that’s all I am
Right now I can barely stand
If You’re everything You say You are
Would You come close and hold my heartSo many questions without answers
Your promises remain
I can’t see but I’ll take my chances
To hear you call my name
To hear you call my nameGo Light Your Candle by Chris Rice
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmquDS65YZs
There is a candle in every soul
Some brightly burning, some dark and cold
There is a Spirit who brings a fire
Ignites a candle and makes His homeSo Carry your candle, run to the darkness
Seek out the lonely, the tired and worn
Hold out your candle for all to see it
Take your candle, and go light your world
Take your candle, and go light your worldCause We are a family whose hearts are blazing
So let’s raise our candles and light up the sky
Praying to our Father, in the name of Jesus
Make us a beacon in darkest timesLearning About Manners Picnic Basket Game by Noodleboro
The girls have had the Learning About Manners Picnic Basket Game by Noodleboro (Playskool) for several years now. They love it! It is a unique game with a picnic blanket board, a picnic basket, games pieces, a story they can read, and a cd to listen too. Many times as we are setting up the game someone will read the story and after playing the game the girls like to listen to the cd. It is a cute game about using your manners, being kind, and polite.
- Colorful with neat game pieces (how many games come with a cool picnic basket)
- Book to read during story time with fun character who are learning their manners
- Audio CD with more about the story and songs regarding using manners
- Easy to play (recommended for ages 4 and up)
- 2 to 4 Players
- Object of the game – use your manners and be the first to collect all the items you need at your picnic!
- Learning Benefits – social skills (say “please” and “thank you”), taking turns, listening, reading, and more
We love games! We have found that playing games is beneficial for many reasons. It gives us quality time together as a family. The kids learn that they will not always win (which is not always an easy lesson to learn), but the game can still be fun even if you are not the victor in every game. It provides opportunities for us to talk and create memories together. Games teach and help our kids practice a variety of useful skills like following directions, reading, writing, counting, taking turns, and more.
I’m Alive by Peter Furler
When I was locked inside my head
When I was lost in a maze of doubt
You called my name and woke me up
You called my name and led me outAnd when I chased one more mirage
‘Til I was tired and parched again
You gave me one more cup to fill
And sent me one more desert rainI’m alive, I’m on fire
And my spirit burns with desire
You set me alight, bright eyed
And with no way to hold it inside
I wanted to thank You
Thank You, thank YouI wanted to thank You
Thank You, thank You
I wanted to thank You
Thank You, thank You
I wanted to thank You
Thank You, thank YouYou Never Let Go by Matt Redman
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death
Your perfect love is casting out fear
And even when I’m caught in the middle of the storms of this life
I won’t turn back
I know you are nearAnd I will fear no evil
For my God is with me
And if my God is with me
Whom then shall I fear?
Whom then shall I fear?Oh no, You never let go
Through the calm and through the storm
Oh no, You never let go
In every high and every low
Oh no, You never let go
Lord, You never let go of meAnd I can see a light that is coming for the heart that holds on
A glorious light beyond all compare
And there will be an end to these troubles
But until that day comes
We’ll live to know You here on the earthYour Love Never Fails by Newsboys
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zrc1xHEwtLY
Nothing can separate
Even if I run away
Your love never fails
I know I still make mistakes
You have new mercy for me everyday
Cause Your love never failsYou stay the same through the ages
Your love never changes
There may be pain in the night
But joy comes in the morning
And when the oceans rage
I don’t have to be afraid
Because I know that You love me
Your love never failsBroken & Beautiful by Mark Schultz
Is there anyone in need of prayer
Jesus wants to meet you here
’cause we all fall short
We all have sinned
But when you let
God’s Grace break inIt’s beautiful
Beautiful
Come as you are
Surrender your heart
Broken and beautifulCause there’s nothing more beautiful to God
Than when his sons and daughters come
Broken
Alleluia
Alleluia
Come as you areTravel & Vacation: Last Day at Sea
The entrance of Windjammer always had cool food carvings. Usually there were too many people or we were trying to meet up with people so I didn’t stop to take many pictures. The girls insisted that I take one of the motorcycle!
It was nice to have the last full day on the cruise at sea. Since we had to have all our suitcases packed and out in the hall after dinner we just squeezed in some packing time around all the fun activities that we wanted to do for the day. We got to do some of the activities we hadn’t been able to do earlier in the cruise like rock climbing and ice skating.
Nicko wanted to go to the Fisher Price Little People movie so Lee, Nicko, Grandpa Russell, Grandma Penny, Jake, Brina, Karlie and I went to the movie. You can’t see the girls because they sat near the front and I was in the back row behind Nicko. It was cute and the kids really liked it.
Looking out over the Royal Promenade through the glass elevator during the day
Curtain at the evening show on Royal Caribbean’s Independence of the Seas
The musicians on stage
Comedian riding a unicycle with a 6 year old kid (from the crowd) on his shoulders
Singers and dancers at the Farewell Show. How do they dance so well in 3 plus inch heels?!
Farewell Song from a group of staff members. They had servers, room attendents, musicians, and more!
Brina and Karlie swinging for the last time. At the end of the Farewell Show Karlie burst into tears, she was so sad the fun week had ended. She said it went by too fast and she had such a great time she wanted to keep on cruising. She decided she wasn’t ready to go back to school or chores. Poor kiddos, it’s always hard when a fun vacation comes to a close. Thankful for the opportunity and all the fun memories we created throughout the week.
Looking down on the Royal Promenade at night through the glass elevator one last time. The girls love all the lights on Main Street at night!
Karlie holding back tears while Brina is ready to get moving again as they walk over the glass bridge and down the Royal Promenade one last time!
The “Travel and Vacation” series is an insight into our trips together as a family and ways we relax. Life is short and we were thrilled to have the opportunity to build memories with family and explore of of the most amazing places during our time away. Explore with a good attitude, look for fun, and it will be an awesome trip jammed packed with positive memories. It is refreshing having some time away from the regular routine. Make it a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet new people and learn. You just might see or try something new that takes your breath away!