Speed! Multiplication Game Review & Giveaway

Hi! It's Jilly. Things have been pretty quiet here on the blog lately. Between homeschooling, kid activities, hubby job hunting, preparing to move, and LIFE, I just haven't been up to blogging much. I feel bad sitting down and writing a blog post when the laundry is to the ceiling and there's packing to do.

Homeschooling is going pretty well. We're still trying to get into our"groove", but I am definitely glad we made the leap! I asked the kids if they want to continue homeschooling next year and they all gave me a resounding, "Yes!!" 

As part of our homeschooling I like to play games. I think the kids learn more when they are having fun! And, with three kids the same age, it's nice to be able to say, "Okay, you guys play a game while I get some stuff done around the house." 

We've been struggling with learning the multiplication facts. Hubby loves drilling the kids with flashcards, but I hate it! Shhh, don't tell. I wanted to find a fun way to practice their multiplication facts and came across this awesome game called Speed! (Thanks to Highhill Education for providing the game!)

Each boxed set comes with 8 different decks of cards for practicing different fact families. It is a two-player game, and they are racing to see who can get rid of their cards first. You have to be quick with your skip counting to win!

The kids were playing with the time lapse video feature on my phone, and we made this video of us playing the game!

Doesn't it look like a fun game?! I love hearing their skip-counting and multiplication improve as they play the game. And, they love it so much that they ask to take it with them places "in case they get bored and want to play". It's a great game for both homeschooling and public schooling families. Who doesn't need a little boost when it comes to math facts?!

Would you like a copy of Speed! for your family? Well, you are in luck, because I am giving away a set! Woot woot! Use the Rafflecopter widget below to enter. Giveaway ends 5/1/15. Good luck!! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway
What are your favorite ways to practice math facts? Do you enjoy playing card games as a family?

Surprise Party!

Hi! It’s Jilly. Sorry I’ve been kind of MIA this week on the blog! Things have been CRAAAAAZY! A few reasons why:

#1- My seester is coming into town next Tuesday and staying for a week!! Woot! So, I’ve been trying to make a place for her to sleep besides my couch, as comfy as it is. ;)

#2- The kids and I are in a play – A Gilbert & Sullivan Christmas Carol – and it opens next Friday!

#3- I’ve been planning a SURPRISE birthday party for my sweet husband. Want to see my plans? I thought you might!

I have a board dedicated to the party on Pinterest, if you’d like to peruse that, but here’s the main “gist” of it. 

On Saturday night the hubs thinks we are going on a date, and that our friends who live one floor down are watching the kids. So, I am taking the kids “down to our friend’s house” and checking on the party (which I am setting up today in our building’s community room).

Then, after I come back upstairs for our “date” a different set of friends (who also live in the building) are going to call hubster and ask him if we want to join them downstairs to play ping pong. He’ll probably say, “Well, Jillian & I are headed out on a date”, then I’ll say, “Oh, we can pop in and play for a minute before we head out.” Then, when we get downstairs—SURPRISE!! Ha ha! It’s gonna be SO awesome!

For the food, I am making BBQ pulled pork sandwiches using THIS delicious-sounding recipe from Dine Like A Pauper. I was going to do pizza, but this will be just as easy, more yummy, and probably cheaper, since the pork shoulder is on sale right now.

source- Dine Like A Pauper 

I will also make BBQ baked beans (saute some onion, pour in a can of baked beans, add BBQ sauce to taste. Voila!), and have some chips and soda.

For dessert I’m going to make cupcakes. I will probably cheat and use a boxed mix for the cupcakes, but I HAVE to make cream cheese frosting, ‘cause it is his favorite. I’m planning to use THIS recipe from Beantown Baker  for the frosting.

source- Beantown Baker

Now, the decorations! I am going to make some of these cute “fireworks” from I Heart Naptime to hang from the ceiling over the buffet area, only I will make them green, which is Hubby’s favorite color.

source- I Heart Naptime

I was planning to just make a birthday banner, but the kids had a great idea! I am going to cut out big letters spelling Happy Birthday, which the kids will decorate. Then, we will hang each letter from the ceiling with fishing line! Festive, eh? I’ll have to post a pic of how it turns out on Instagram. (Follow me so you don’t miss it!)

I found THIS awesome idea for a cupcake stand on Something From Cassie. SO easy, and simple to make work with any theme!

source- Something From Cassie

During the party we will have the adults play some Minute to Win It games, while the kids color, play, or watch a movie. (I don’t really care, as long as they stay out of our hair..ahem, I mean…I love kids!)

source- NBC.com

I think it’s going to be SO much fun, and he is going to be SO surprised! I hope it turns out like I plan, and all my wildest dreams come true. (Aack! I didn’t Vote for Pedro! Shoot!)