DVD Review: Paws & Tales ~ Being Kind and Caring

The first I heard of "Paws & Tales" was when this DVD was offered as a review copy from Tyndale.  As a family who has learned much from Chuck Swindoll's Biblical teaching, I was happy to pop this DVD in for our children.  I have since learned that there is also a Paws & Tales radio program.  We love listening to Adventures in Odyssey and many other radio/CD stories; this series would likely be another we would enjoy but unfortunately, we don't receive it on our local Christian radio station.

There are two stories included in this particular DVD ~ forgiveness and helping others.  The 25-minute (approximately) stories are based on lessons we all need to remember from Matthew 18:21-22 and Matthew 6:14.  Our four children, aged 2-10 enjoyed watching these shows, although I think a child 10-12 would be at the upper end of the age spectrum for this type of presentation.

Both story lines are similar, centering around Go-Kart/Soap Box races.  In the first story, the bear children need to work through issues of forgiveness versus revenge and in the second story they learn about working together to help each other out instead of forging through as a one-man team. 

There is a positive lesson taught and sound moral resolution found in each story.  It's nice to find Christian children's videos that aren't filled with innuendos and inappropriate material.  We try to limit tv to DVDs we have on hand, knowing instead that we can monitor what they are exposed to.  I would recommend Paws & Tales to others wanting to have solid videos in their collection for those rainy days or quiet time before bed.  I'll be looking for other titles in this series.

Whale Watching in Alaska

You have no choice but to be in awe of God's creation while watching these

beautiful, massive, graceful Humpback whales.  

Ironically, we were whale watching directly across from where we used to live 10 years ago.  We didn't see  a whale out our window back then; so thrilled we had the opportunity to this time!

 

Review: The Stargazer's Guide to the Night Sky ~ Dr. Jason Lisle

This is just the book I've been looking for; something down-to-earth enough for beginners yet technical enough that we will continue to advance in our learning and understanding.  We love gazing at stars and searching for common constellations, stars, and visible planets like Mars and Venus.

Chapters cover Motions in the Sky (basic & advanced), Understanding the Eye, Astronomy with the Unaided Eye, Celestial Events, Telescope Basics, Telescope Observing Sessions, The Moon and the Sun, The Planets, Star Classification and Telescope Viewing, Deep Sky Objects, and Astrophotography.

How thrilled I was to read that the best annual meteor shower occurs August 12-13 in the Northern Hemisphere.  That's only a few weeks away!  As I was laying in bed last night, thinking about it, I wondered how plausible it is that we will see anything or be awake enough to haul ourselves out of bed when it gets a little bit dark to go watch.  For those fortunate enough to live somewhere where it actually gets dark at night - enjoy!  We may just have to wait for the second best annual showing that peaks on December 14; the Geminid meteor shower.  By then, I sure hope we see our fair share of the northern lights too!

Reading about everything we can't see with the naked eye and the detail you can see up close with a good telescope has me wishing that we had access to someone's expensive piece of equipment!  Amazing photos are found throughout the book so even without that telescope, you're given a wealth of visual stimulation.  Just laying out in a field, on a beach, or in your backyard away from city lights is a delight as you gaze at God's canvas.

We had the added benefit of visiting the Creation Museum in Kentucky last year.  If you have the opportunity to visit, be sure to view any (ie. all) of their planetarium productions that happen to be playing at that time.  What a blessing to watch and listen to a non-evolutionary based teaching of Astronomy.

Dr. Lisle's book has multiple star charts towards the end for reference.  While he doesn't refer to iTunes/Apple apps they're another great way to search out stars, planets, galaxies, clusters, and everything else you read about in his book. Our iPad has two apps, The Night Sky and Star Walk.  If you are trying to figure out which one to purchase, I would choose Star Walk as it has a lot more to offer.  Just hold your iPad up to the sky and it will show you in live-time what you are looking at.  You can zoom in to see cosmic sites even further into the vastness of space.  Just as Star Walk will make you more familiar with the sky around you, The Stargazer's Guide to the Night Sky will increase your knowledge about the where's, how's, and why's of your stargazing adventures.

What a creative God to create everything from microscopic single-celled organisms to the unimaginable grandness of space and all it contains.  Yet, in all of it...He chose us.  Created in His own image.  He commands the galaxies to obey Him but won't force us to love Him.  He is our ever-forgiving Father who desires our love not because we have to love Him, but because we want to.  No wonder the stars worship Him in their beauty.

Moving to Kodiak, Alaska

Be sure to start reading at the beginning of our journey as we continue on our way to Alaska...

There was so much wildlife to enjoy as we departed Muncho Lake, British Columbia and headed towards Whitehorse, Yukon...

About half an hour to 45 minutes past Muncho Lake, BC, there is beautiful Liard Hot Springs.  It has been very well maintained in the nearly dozen years since we first came through.  With a cool morning, we made the mistake of telling our children that they could put their feet in the springs and then we would get back on the road... All I can say in hindsight is: It would be a looong walk back to your vehicle to grab your swimsuits so just BRING them with you.  There are change rooms at the springs.  You're there, so enjoy it!

Heading into Canada's Yukon ~ majestic mountains!

We arrived in Whitehorse and headed for Alaska the next morning.  We stayed at the Golden Bear Hotel in Tok and were very happy with the spacious room and reasonable price.  They have a restaurant there that doesn't look like much but the day we arrived a tour bus was coming.  We enjoyed a great home-cooked meal that was delicious and less than fast food would have cost!
We highly recommend this hotel, restaurant, and their friendly owners/staff.

 

 I could be mistaken but I think this is called Mica Glacier.  Zoomed in, we could see people walking on it.

Had a good laugh over this...

Beautiful mountains between Anchorage and Homer, Alaska

The kids loved seeing a "real volcano"!

 Made it to Homer ~ Just awaiting the our ferry to Kodiak...

There's our ferry!

Welcoming photos of Kodiak

Welcome to the next adventure!  We'll have a great time of it!