Introduction: WeE-book Series
This is my second review (which will actually be three reviews) in connection with The Old Schoolhouse (TOS) Homeschool Crew application process. The following short reviews will focus on three of TOS Magazine’s WeE-book Series books and should provide a taste for the series as a whole.

Building Strong Arithmetic Thinking
The first WeE-book I chose was Building Strong Arithmetic Thinking by Dr. Ruth Beechick. It was a quick read regarding how most preschool to third graders do not grasp the abstract concepts we try to teach them in beginning math. Dr. Beechick gives some excellent examples of how to concretely teach your children mathematical concepts and basic math skills. She also provides a very useful worksheet to help you keep track of how your child is progressing.

This e-book helped me realize that I am on the right track with my approach to teaching my son math. (No wonder he is good at math so far. I have chosen a math curriculum (Math-U-See) that emphasizes visual and logical metaphors for teaching children to learn math and understand abstract concepts. I believe that this curriculum is in line with the concepts and goals noted by this e-book, and I was very encouraged that the approach I am taking with teaching math to my son is correct.

The “Me Time” Myth

The second WeE-book I chose was The “Me Time” Myth by Amy Roberts. We are bombarded in our world by the term “me time”. We are told by psychologists, pediatricians, and so on that we must have “me time” or we won’t be good parents. However, as Ms. Roberts outlines in her book: any “me time” we get, in order for it to truly be satisfying and fruitful, must be spent with our Heavenly Father; He is the only One who can truly satisfy and re energize us for the job He has called us to as a wife and mother. It’s not really “me time” that is helpful, but rather time spent in the presence of our Heavenly Father and in His Word.

This e-book was exactly what I needed to hear right now, and it fits right into how I have been feeling. Since my struggle with postpartum depression, I have often been told I need this so called “me time”; but rather than feeling refreshed, I’ve found that it normally causes me to dread coming back to real life. This e-book addresses this very issue. It was great to know I wasn’t the only one who struggles with the whole “me time” idea.

This WeE-book is a great read and I truly believe every mom, whether she homeschools or not, needs to get a copy of this e-book and read it. And then, when you start to get overwhelmed, read it again! I believe it is a message straight from God to the wives and mothers of this current generation.

Are Parents Really Necessary? A Guide to Preschool Education
The last WeE-book I chose was Are Parents Really Necessary? A Guide to Preschool Education by Amelia Harper. This terrific e-book covers the myths regarding early childhood education. If you are feeling pressured to put your three or four-year-old into formalized, all day preschool, then you need to read this e-book. Amelia outlines a series of myths and refutes them one by one. She also covers the top ten things that a preschooler needs to learn, and includes some fantastic worksheets in the appendix. There is a lot of useful material included for the price making this e-book a real bargain.

Conclusion
Overall I really enjoyed reading these three e-books and would highly recommend that you explore the titles and try a few out for yourself. The WeE-book line currently consists of 39 e-books; at only $1.95 each, this series is a very affordable resource to motivate and educate. These short e-books only take about 10 to 15 minutes to read and are also easy to digest. This makes them a great read for a busy homeschooling mom. Each WeE-book ends with a very useful appendix on how to do homeschool. I believe the WeE-book series is a terrific product by TOS which will help busy homeschool moms everywhere!

PS
After my husband went to great lengths to edit this post and my last post, we decided not to apply for the Homeschool Crew. We have decided that it would be too stressful for me and not a great idea for our first year of more structured homeschool. But my husband went to great lengths to edit this and I believe the review may still be helpful to some so that is why I am posting it. I hope you enjoyed it.

As part of the application process to be considered for The Old Schoolhouse (TOS) Homeschool Crew, I get the opportunity to review a couple of their e-books. I really enjoy reading TOS Magazine and have been so blessed in finding it. I am very excited about the possibility of being part of the Homeschool Crew to review and promote great homeschooling products.

The first e-book I am reviewing is called HomeWork: Juggling Home, Work, and School Without Losing. HomeWork is a book about working from home and contains valuable advice on how to integrate business opportunities into home life, while not compromising the home in the process. Though I had been thinking about buying this book for quite a while, I procrastinated because I was originally unsure of what it was about. I was excited at the chance to review this book for free, and as I began to read it I regretted not getting it earlier! Whether or not I get the opportunity to participate this year as part of the crew, getting a copy of this e-book alone has made the effort worthwhile.

The book is set up with four different sections highlighting various business profiles. The first section covers labors of love, which includes businesses which have sprung out of hobbies as well as already functioning home businesses. The second section is on computer based home businesses; the third focuses on creative writing; and the fourth deals with business support (which includes things such as accounting and computer network support.) I find it very encouraging that these profiles are all personal accounts written by the moms of these homeschooling business families. I particularly enjoy the additional aspects of how these moms homeschool, and how they incorporate managing their at-home business into their home-centered lifestyle. While each author writes a little differently, this adds variety to the book making it even more enjoyable to read: every few pages you are on to a different story and a different perspective.

The book concludes with “tricks of the trade”, including accounting and bookkeeping tips, organizational tips, and an appendix with lots of great links to websites with additional resources.

This e-book is a great read and a great tool that I will look back on time and time again. I currently have two work at home businesses (Mary Kay and Creative Memories). Reading this e-book, with its many creative ideas on how to integrate business into my homseschooling family, has really motivated me to work harder at these businesses. I think that in a lot of ways I just needed permission to pursue my home businesses; by reading this book I have found that others have been successful in integrating home business into their homeschooling families without compromise.

At this point in my life journey, the most helpful tip I received was to set aside time on a regular schedule to do work every day. While I have heard this principle stated over and over again, seeing it applied throughout these stories really helped it to sink in. So whether you have been doing your work-at-home business for a very long time, or are only just starting out, I highly recommend this e-book to you: it will encourage you as you continue doing what the Lord has called you to do.

Ben loves the Franklin books. I first heard of them from Donna Otto of Homemakers by Choice. They are great books that help your child learn about how to handle different situations through the eyes of a young turtle named Franklin. Children can relate to Franklin and thus they pay attention to how he handles the various situations introduced by the books. Lately we have been reading one about how Franklin, as a big brother, learns to share with his little sister. I have already heard Ben say “I will share this with Hadi because that’s what big brothers do, just like Franklin.” So if you have not read these books I encourage you to check them out from your local library or buy copies for yourself. I have provided links to some of the books above.

Because of Ben’s love of Franklin, when I saw the Sheldon Kits at Knit Picks I had to buy one. I have just finished knitting Sheldon, which of course we are calling Franklin at our house. Ben loves it. He can’t wait for me to finish some of the “career” costumes for him. So without further ado, here is Franklin in the “wild” outside this morning.

Welcome to my blog, The Crafty Home. It is my prayer that you will be encouraged as you visit my home on the internet. My primary blogging interest for the last few years has been on the subject of knitting. However, during this time God has brought many more passions into my life; passions revolving around the central value of biblical womanhood. I yearn to share these passions with you and encourage you to live a counter culture life. I want to share my adventures in being a Biblical wife and mother, being a homeschooling mom; offer book reviews; and write about knitting, quilting, cooking, and all of the things that make up my life.

There aren’t many women, even in Evangelical Christian circles, who are living a life that is centered on the home. I believe God intended for our lives to be focused on building a loving nurturing home upon the firm foundation of Christ and His Word, under the spiritual leadership of our husbands. I desire for my life, blog, and home to be a witness as to how God designed family and womanhood. I believe that when more of us begin to follow God with our whole hearts, and live counter to our culture, we will have a positive impact upon the world. In this day and time it is more important than ever that we stand as a light in the dark and raise godly children who will go forth from our homes and glorify Christ.

So now that you know the background for this blog, let me tell you a little more about me. I am happily married to my husband Zeb, and our blended family consists of ourselves and our two children: four year old Ben, and four month old Hadasssah. It is our conviction that because children are a blessing from the Lord, we should allow Him to direct how many children we have and how far apart they are. That is just a little taste of our life. As you continue to read I will share more of our life and you will learn more about me and my family.

So pull up a chair and a cup of tea and make yourself at home. God bless you as you pursue the calling that He has for you.