I am hosting a book review AND giveaway on my Babywearing blog {didn't know I had another blog now did ya?}
Visit my Babywearing in Paradise Blog for a chance to enter! There are four entries possible per person, contest ends February 16th so don't delay! Get on over and check it out!
Thursday, February 11, 2010
{This Little Prayer of Mine} Book Review & Give away!
I have a secret passion for Children's books, perhaps my usual 40 borrowed books from the Library or our overflowing bookshelves are proof of that! And we've found a new favorite!
I was recently contacted by Anthony DeStefano to review his new book for children This Little Prayer of Mine
Anthony Stefano has written books for adults, but this is his first time with a book for the littles!
We were thrilled to quickly receive the copy, cuddle up on the bed and dig in to this wonderful rhyming guide to prayer for kids. All three of my children ages 5, 3 and 20 months, sat transfixed by both the rhythmic style of writing as well as the great illustrations (By Mark Elliott). They asked me to read it over and over again, and still after a week it's in the favorite's pile!
What I especially loved about his book is that it gave vivid examples of when to pray, in thanksgiving, for forgiveness and when they need Him. The book illustrates kids of different ages praying when they are scared or lonely, asking for forgiveness for sins and then also asking God to deepen their relationship with Him by helping them be more Christlike! I found many spiritual truths in this book that we are constantly trying to teach our own children, but in words and illustrations that children can easily understand!
This book has been endorsed by the National Day of Prayer and has had many good things said about it which you can read on Anthony Stefano's blog {please see link above).
Although the Book hasn't hit the shelves quite yet {to be released February 16, 2010} you can get a great deal by pre-ordering your copy of this book at the low price of $8.76 ($12.99 regularly) + shipping from Amazon! Click on the link in my side bar to take a hold of this deal!
If you'd like to win a copy of Anthony Stefano's book This Little Prayer of Mine here's how to enter! For one entry in the contest::
Anthony Stefano has written books for adults, but this is his first time with a book for the littles!
We were thrilled to quickly receive the copy, cuddle up on the bed and dig in to this wonderful rhyming guide to prayer for kids. All three of my children ages 5, 3 and 20 months, sat transfixed by both the rhythmic style of writing as well as the great illustrations (By Mark Elliott). They asked me to read it over and over again, and still after a week it's in the favorite's pile!
What I especially loved about his book is that it gave vivid examples of when to pray, in thanksgiving, for forgiveness and when they need Him. The book illustrates kids of different ages praying when they are scared or lonely, asking for forgiveness for sins and then also asking God to deepen their relationship with Him by helping them be more Christlike! I found many spiritual truths in this book that we are constantly trying to teach our own children, but in words and illustrations that children can easily understand!
This book has been endorsed by the National Day of Prayer and has had many good things said about it which you can read on Anthony Stefano's blog {please see link above).
Although the Book hasn't hit the shelves quite yet {to be released February 16, 2010} you can get a great deal by pre-ordering your copy of this book at the low price of $8.76 ($12.99 regularly) + shipping from Amazon! Click on the link in my side bar to take a hold of this deal!
If you'd like to win a copy of Anthony Stefano's book This Little Prayer of Mine here's how to enter! For one entry in the contest::
- Leave a comment below on what your child's favorite book is currently and subscribe to this blog!
- Update your facebook status with a comment about this contest and a link to my blog post a link please!)
- Visit the link to Anthony Stefano's blog and give me the name of another book he's written
- email me at keikikuddlerz@earthlink.net
Blog Hop Photo Edit
These are a handful of photos I took of Gracia when she was around 6 months old. So little! It makes me excited for the next little soft cuddle girl to come along!
I've always loved this photo SOOC, I think it's the baby drool......then on the right I added a little acidity.
I love playing with photos and combining what should be a cute fuzzy photo with the opposite elements of rough texture and grunge. Just for fun.
Another sweet little wide-eyed SOOC gaze
Time flies so quickly when you are having fun....and now she's almost 2!
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
{Don't throw away those broken crayons!}
I am a crayon snob. I admit it. I usually throw them away as soon as they are broken. But I came across a cute idea to make new swirly crayons by melting the old ones! Not all parents appreciate candy being given to their kid on Valentine's Day, but more importantly....it's expensive! And as much as I am in to saving money these days I HAD to find an alternative to spending a lot on Jonah and Ellie's Awana classes and still provide a little treat! So I started digging around for the old broken crayons and yes, I even melted some nice ones, but in the future, I won't be throwing the broken ones away anymore!
Now there are tons of methods for doing this including the use of a double boiler and a lot of trouble. BUT, I believe I have found the easiest, quickest, most convenient method for recycling crayons.....and of course I'll share!
The hardest part of the whole process is peeling the paper from the crayons. If you're lucky you're preschooler has already done this for you!!! If not, grab a razor and make a slice down the crayon and easily peel away the wrapper.
Next, the part the kids really enjoyed, break up the crayons into 3-4 pieces.
For the actual melting and molding part I decided to use a Wilton Non-stick Cookie sheet. I found one at Wal-Mart for $10 (the most expensive part of the project, but I figure I can actually use the pan for cookies as well!!!) I wasn't sure exactly if it would work but it DID! And it worked perfectly! The crayons came out perfectly and easily with absolutely no trouble. All I had to do was turn the pan over! You can also use a mini muffin tin if you don't want to buy a special tin just for one project! I would stay with a non-stick one though!
We filled each space on the tin with the colors we wanted. Sometimes the colors were strategically placed, sometimes not. They all came out beautifully! And the colors don't mix so each color stays true to it's original hue! You can take a tooth pick and swirl them as soon as they come out of the oven if you want that effect, or make your own new crayon color! Who knows, maybe crayola will pay you for your creativity!
Bake your crayons at 200 degrees for 8-10 minutes, watch them until all the crayons are fully melted, don't burn them! It stinks up the house!
Pull them out VERY carefully, the wax is very liquidy and the colors will mix more than your desired effect if you aren't careful.
Let them cool for about 15-20 minutes and then just turn the whole pan over onto a towel or paper towel and you have new, recycled swirly crayons! Awesome! Now enjoy your beautiful creations!
We are putting one crayon and a black and white Valentine printed from A Kid's Heart in a little baggy for each child. I will also print out a label letting parents know it's not a chocolate candy!!!!
A little hint, don't try and use Rose Art or other off brand crayons, the generics don't melt as well, especially when mixing them with Crayola! When it comes to quality, go with Crayola!
If you have an inexpensive or creative Valentine's craft to share, link up!
Now there are tons of methods for doing this including the use of a double boiler and a lot of trouble. BUT, I believe I have found the easiest, quickest, most convenient method for recycling crayons.....and of course I'll share!
The hardest part of the whole process is peeling the paper from the crayons. If you're lucky you're preschooler has already done this for you!!! If not, grab a razor and make a slice down the crayon and easily peel away the wrapper.
Next, the part the kids really enjoyed, break up the crayons into 3-4 pieces.
For the actual melting and molding part I decided to use a Wilton Non-stick Cookie sheet. I found one at Wal-Mart for $10 (the most expensive part of the project, but I figure I can actually use the pan for cookies as well!!!) I wasn't sure exactly if it would work but it DID! And it worked perfectly! The crayons came out perfectly and easily with absolutely no trouble. All I had to do was turn the pan over! You can also use a mini muffin tin if you don't want to buy a special tin just for one project! I would stay with a non-stick one though!
Pull them out VERY carefully, the wax is very liquidy and the colors will mix more than your desired effect if you aren't careful.
A little hint, don't try and use Rose Art or other off brand crayons, the generics don't melt as well, especially when mixing them with Crayola! When it comes to quality, go with Crayola!
If you have an inexpensive or creative Valentine's craft to share, link up!
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Blog Hop=creative fun!!
My first blog hop....how fun! While the kids are eating lunch I'm doing a little editing with some old photos.....
I completely stole the idea from Pixel Perfect! As well as A Moment Cherished two blogs worth taking a look at!
After playing, softening, cropping and changing the color a little......
Join the blog hop over at Pixel Prefect!
I completely stole the idea from Pixel Perfect! As well as A Moment Cherished two blogs worth taking a look at!
The before photo. Ellie fallen asleep on the couch in full ballerina dress....
After playing, softening, cropping and changing the color a little......
Join the blog hop over at Pixel Prefect!
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Multitude Monday~on Tuesday
7. For funny quotes from my 3 year old after spilled milk "Oh sorry Mom, My bad, I'm just not myself today."
8. For kids who love fruits and veggies.
9. For hand-me-downs from friends and neighbors.
10. For God's faithfulness and provision time after time, even when I forget that He promises that and start to worry.
11. For 3 little bodies wrapped together during reading time.
12. For slow Mondays after a long, busy, fun-filled weekend.
13. For an incredible church family that really does feel like family.
14. For the 24 hours in a day given to us to worship a living and loving God.
15. For a little 18 month old dancing, swaying and swinging to music.
16.For a sleeping little baby in my arms rocking back and forth.
8. For kids who love fruits and veggies.
9. For hand-me-downs from friends and neighbors.
10. For God's faithfulness and provision time after time, even when I forget that He promises that and start to worry.
11. For 3 little bodies wrapped together during reading time.
12. For slow Mondays after a long, busy, fun-filled weekend.
13. For an incredible church family that really does feel like family.
14. For the 24 hours in a day given to us to worship a living and loving God.
15. For a little 18 month old dancing, swaying and swinging to music.
16.For a sleeping little baby in my arms rocking back and forth.
Making a Comeback.....
It's been a while since blogging and reviewing here. I've got a lot of catching up to do and a lot to fill you in on! I've got some reviews on the dock and some more on the way....stay tuned for more folks!
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