Reading Eggs Helps Kids Learn to Read Online

Teaching kids to read isn't always easy. At home, it is tough to come up with fun ideas and games to keep kids interested and make sure that they are progressing. Some days, there just isn't enough time to get around to practicing reading. Parents need something to make this process simpler.

For the past month, Daughter (age 5) has been using Reading Eggs, a learn to read online program. It begins with a reading assessment test to make sure that the child is starting at the right ability appropriate level. There are all types of games to make sure that kids see the same words over and over again and show proficiency by clicking on them in a variety of different ways.

Daughter is already a pretty good reader but she still enjoyed the program. I watched her giggle while she played a game (a lot like Frogger) that required her to get the frog across the logs using the words she was learning. She already knew the words but for me, I liked the way that the words were shown. There was an explanation of how the words were built and put together. To me, the phonics really made a difference.

If you have a child that is struggling to read or you just want to give them a little extra practice with fun, online games, consider trying out Reading Eggs. Parents start can start with a free 14 day trial and do not need to give a credit card to get started. You can register multiple children and keep up to date on each one's progress. Reading Eggs is for kids up to 7 years old. If you have a child 7-13, consider signing up for The Reading Eggspress.

If anyone tries Reading Eggs, be sure to let me know what you think and how it worked out for you.

**I received a free three month trial courtesy of Reading Eggs for trying out the product and posting my review.

Gene Doucette's Immortal Winner

Here's the drawing information from Random.org:

Random Sequence Generator

Here is your sequence:

4
1
3
2

Timestamp: 2012-05-11 16:56:40 UTC

That makes the winner Angie! Congratulations! I'll send you an email and give the publisher your email address to download your free copy of Gene Doucette's Immortal.

Thanks to all who participated

Immortal by Gene Doucette

For most people, the idea of being immortal seems like the opportunity of a lifetime. Who would not like to run around and amass knowledge from different cultures, experience the making of the world as we know it, and basically get to do what ever it is you want to without fear or concern for the future?

Immortal, by Gene Doucette, provides a glimpse into this type of life with Adam, a interesting main character with a sometimes witty, sometimes insightful, sometimes drunken perspective on the world around him. He struggles with a variety of different characters, both real and “magical,” as well as what most might consider a drinking problem. Adam is a unique character with a unique voice that keep the reader consistently hungry for more adventure.

My honest option? You are probably going to want to read this one. If you like a book that creates a few laughs, this one this one will work. If you like drama that keeps you on the edge of your seat, this one will work. It isn’t every day that you find a book that stands out from the rest. For me, this was unlike any other book that I’ve read and you know me; I’ve read a lot. Check to the right for a link to the book at Amazon.

One reader will receive a free copy of Gene Doucette’s Immortal. Of course, in order to participate, you have to do a little work. What would you do if you were immortal? In other words, what would you do with 60,000 years if you weren't worried about aging? And, let the crazy stories and ideas begin. 


Leave your idea in the comments below along with your email address. If you don’t feel comfortable leaving your email you can always write your comment and send your email address to me via frugalfamilyexaminer (@) gmail (.) com.

The winner will be chosen on Friday so what are you waiting for? 

As a side note:

·      This isn’t going to be one for the kiddos. I’d leave this one to the grown ups only because of a few F-bombs and its got a few sexual elements. Apparently iffrits just can’t help themselves.

·      I received a copy of this book from The Writer’s Coffee Shop via NetGalley. I was not paid for writing the review. It was just a great opportunity to sample another author’s work and share it with you. J

Progress With Zumba

So have I totally met all of my goals? No.
Have I tried really hard? Yes.

So to prove how hard I have been working - here are some of the important things I have taken care of over the past week:

• Went to Kohl's; purchased new workout clothes (You can't expect me to wear last year's yoga pants to workout in the comfort of my own home.)
• Perfected my workout drink (Crystal Light Lemonade, Tea, and Sugar Free Raspberry Syrup)
• Total Calories burned on these activities: No idea.

Okay, I did more. I tested out  Zumba Fitness 2. Last week I just tried the low intensity songs one at a time. I was up to three songs and was pretty impressed with myself. Then, a friend asked if I had gone through a full class yet. 

And so this morning, with the Wii remote strapped to my side, I finished my very first, low-intensity, short class. The fact that I am still able to type means I survived (just barely). 

Things I have learned thus far:

• The workout clothes are not making it any easy to get through the Wii Zumba class. However, I do feel a little better about wearing them.
• If you do not have any type of rhythm, you can fake it. (I got the Zumba Master award today and there was  no way I was keeping up with all the beats.)
• My kids are going to hold me accountable. When I skipped the other day, both Son and Daughter made it a point to ask why I was not doing Zumba. Who knew that a six and four year old would be my accountability partners?

So my goals are pretty much the same for this upcoming week. Even if I have not lost any weight or I don't feel anymore fit, if I am still standing and able to move, I will be happy. 

Time to Get Serious

Last week, my sister became engaged. Yippee for here - not so yippee for me. This weekend we went shopping to look at dresses. Every single one she put on was amazing.  On the other hand, trying on bridesmaid dresses was not as much fun.

It isn't the choice of dress. My sister has got great taste. It wasn't that I ate some bad Indian food before we went in. Here's the thing - - I think it may be time to take Weight Watchers seriously. I have been starting eating the right way every Monday for about two months and oddly enough, eating well one day a week is just not going to cut it. (Surprising, right?)

So I am pretty sure that I have until the end of August to get myself together and actually look presentable walking down the aisle. 

So here's the plan:

• Weight Watchers strictly - NO CHEATING
• Just Dance 3 or my Zumba workout with the Wii at least 3 days a week
• YRG (Yoga for Real Guys) LOL with Husband at least three mornings a week

You know that Starbucks and I have had a bit of a love/hate relationship for many years. I think it may be time to say goodbye to my frequent enjoyment of Iced, Venti, Nonfat, Chai Tea. Today, I chose a Trenta Black Tea (with no sweetener) instead. Maybe once a week I can do a Chai, but honestly, this could be a large part of the problem. 

Okay, fine. It was also the Banana Chocolate Chip Coffee Cake too. I admit it.

So we will see how it goes. I thought about taking before and after photos but I swear, the thought of before pictures absolutely chills me to the bone. I am afraid that seeing a photo up close and personal to my own cellulite may not motivate me. It may paralyze me!

So here I go --- another goal to add to the mix but one that will be well worth it!

Photo by: Broken Piggy Bank's photo stream on Flickr.