Ripley's Believe It or Not! Strikingly True (Christmas Gift Guide)

I don't know about you but I am having 

a hard time finding things for my 11 year old this year for Christmas.

She is in that in between age. 

In fact she's a tween.

She isn't into Barbies anymore and is too young for

some of the electronics she thinks she needs.

When I was asked to review the newest

Ripley's Believe It or Not

Strikingly True

I knew that this book would be a great

choice for Carter.

Not only would it encourage her to read

but she could find some awesome, weird and amazing

facts in the book.

The Ripley's Believe It or Not series 

has always intrigued me and I know it will

keep my growing up too fast little Carter

busy learning lots of cool news things during her Christmas break.

You can buy the Ripley's Believe It or Not

Strikingly True Book on Amazon for around $19.

*I was sent a copy of the book for the purpose of this review. I was not asked for a positive review only an honest one. All opinions are 100% mine and true.

MomSense do you have any?

I was recently contacted about reviewing

MomSense: A Common-Sense Guide to Confident Mothering

written by Jean Blackmer. 

I was extra excited about this review and giveaway since 

this book is being promoted by MOPS International Inc.

Since I do not have a local (enough) to me 

MOPS group here (mothers of preschoolers) I was excited to 

still have a connection to my old MOPS group.

This book a great resource for mothers of every
stage in motherhood.
Thanks to the MomSense Mom Blogger Book tour
I have 1 book to giveaway to a lucky mom.

How To Be God's Little Princess Book Review

When I first saw this book I knew that my
Rosie would love this book.
First of all she has the
God's Little Princess Bible
and because just by the cover.
I mean it is pink, purple and has a crown on it.

Once I got it in the mail and started thumbing through it
I fell in love with it.
This book helps to reiterate the important things in life
like...

Manners
Being a nice person
How to dress appropriately
How to behave at all times
Also, how to tell when you are being selfish.

My daughter loved reading this book
and telling me all the things in the book
that she already does.
I have seen my daughter pull this book out and show her friends.
telling them this is how God wants us to act.

You can buy the book here.

My 1st "hate" letter... Tiny Talk or Write

So while out blog stalking...

I mean hopping I came across

this cute blog hop that you can record

your children's funny ideas, actions, thoughts.

Then you link up and read other funny kid stories.

Here is mine...

A few weeks ago when tucking all

my kiddos into bed

my little Rosie came and asked me to read 

her a bedtime story.

She asked me when I was getting Hulk into

his pj's and I told her very nicely

"not tonight

Mommy has a bad headache"

(migraine that I was headed to bed with after they were all tucked in)

She followed me to Ninja's room while 

I tucked him in and told him no story tonight

Mommy didn't feel well.

He took it just fine and said ok tomorrow 2 stories.

Which seemed only fair.

Rosie asked once again

"Will you read me Silverlicious"

As I was walking her into her room to

tuck her in she is still 

asking and whining which of course

is great for my migraine.

You know since my doctor just asked me

"You have 4 kids right?"

"Do you think they could be the reason for your migraines"

No lie I couldn't make that up!

I thought to myself and she went to medical school!?!

Back to my story...

Rosie and I had a talk about the headache she had 

gotten a few months before

and I thought she was ok with me not

reading to her that night.

Especially since I promise all 4 of the 

Pinkilicious books the next night.

I kissed her and went downstairs.

I picked up a few little last minute didn't want to see 

in the morning things and took my migraine pills.

Told the hubby I was going up to bed.

While I was doing that I heard feet run across 

the upstairs hall into my bedroom and back. 

When my hubby and I got the bedroom

I found Silverlicious and this note on my pillow.

For those of you who can not make it out it says...

"I have a mean Mom"

"She wont even read me Silverlicious"

I am sure this little note was suppose to break my heart

and have me come running in to read her the book.

Instead it threw me into a fit of laughter.

I couldn't breath I was laughing so hard.

I had to go ask Miss Rosie what the second line 

was since I couldn't make it out. 

She was NOT amused that I thought her letter was funny.

I told her I was keeping this little 

"hate" letter and would frame it for her.

One day she would come to laugh at it and love it like I do now.

For now I am just a mean mom.

I am sure one day it will be worse.

My own mother wrote on her dresser that is now in Rosie's room

"I hate Mom"

Maybe that is where she got the idea from?

What about your kids? 

Have you gotten any funny letters yet?

Favorite Things Thursday

So this week I am going to join up

with Miss Melanie for her

first ever blog hop.

She was my spring swap partner 

and I have loved reading her blog ever since.

This week her favorite things Thursday is books:

Well isn't that the loaded question?

It is no secret that I am a lover of all things

vampire related in my book choices lately.

 However, recently after many many 

months of my bestie telling me to read 

(and my newest friend here as well)

The Hunger Games series...

well it's all over now isn't it?

I love love love this book series.

I actually think I might just 

maybe love it more than the Twilight Saga

shocking I know! 

If you haven't read them yet 

DO IT!

Quickly too because the first movie comes out 

March 23 2012.

Imagination Station Book Series Review and Giveaway

 CLOSED
Winner:
Number 4 chosen by random.org
Larissa who tweeted about the giveaway!
You have 48 hours to respond via email.
Thank you to the sponsor for this great giveaway! 

I was recently asked to do
a book review of 
The Imagination Station book series from 
Adventures in Odyssey. 
This is the first time I have ever read one of their books.
I gave the books to my 10 year old
to read since I knew they right up her alley.
She LOVED them both!

(from the back of the book)

“Mr. Whittaker, a kind but mysterious inventor, has sent cousins Patrick and Beth to Greenland through the Imagination Station. It’s the year 1000, and they meet Viking Erik the Red, who is angry about the new God. Mr. Whittaker wants the cousins to find a Sunstone, but what does one look like? And what does it have to do with the mysterious letter found in the inventor’s workshop? Most important, can Patrick and Beth find a Sunstone before Erik’s son Leif sails away with the Imagination Station on board his ship?”

(again from back of book)

“Cousins Patrick and Beth are off on their second Imagination Station adventure. Mr. Whittaker’s mysterious invention takes them to ancient Rome where they must find a special silver cup. Near the city gate, the cousins are separated when Beth is enslaved to the emperor and Patrick meets a wise monk named Telemachus. All three end up in the famous Roman arena. Telemachus wants to share an important message with the emperor. Beth wants to know how to get the cup. And Patrick just wants to escape with his life!”

What I love about the books is that each book

is about a different historical 

time and place. 

Also, the books help children to learn

new things and have great 

positive reinforcement behind them.

All while my child just thinks she is reading for "fun".

Ha I tricked her.

Buy It!

You may visit Tyndale.com to make a purchase!

Win It!

 One very lucky reader will win the first 2 books in the series. 

Mandatory Entry:

Tell me 1 thing you think you will like about the books?

Extra Entries:

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Silverlicious coming 2-1-2011

In our house these books are a must.
Remember this birthday party?

Well, Victoria Kann has done it again.
Silverlicious hits stores on February 1st.

Just in time for a little girls Valentine's present.
I know Rosie will be SO excited to get this new book.

A little bit about the book:

When Pinkalicious loses a tooth, it's not just any tooth—it's her sweet tooth! Suddenly candy no longer tastes sweet! With her pinkatastic pen, Pinkalicious writes a note to the Tooth Fairy and tucks it under her pillow... only to hear from Cupid, the Easter Bunny, and a Christmas elf instead. It is not until the Tooth Fairy finally responds—and works some magic—that Pinkalicious discovers where sweetness really comes from. 

 

This book is coming out just as my little Rosie is starting to loose her first teeth. 

You can pre-order the book over at Amazon.com for the low price of $10.79

and if you have a little girl in your life that has not been introduced to Pinkalicious check out all the other wonderfully pink books...

They are an adorable collection for every little girl.

Precious Moments Storybook Bible Review

Let me begin by saying that I am a huge fan of anything Precious Moments.

When Rosie was born her room was done int he Precious Moments baby bedding collection.

Her baby book is the 5 year Precious Moments baby book.

So when I saw the opportunity to do a review of the Precious Moments Storybook Bible I jumped on it. 

I just knew that this Bible would be perfect for my little Hulk and I was right.

The Precious Moments Storybook Bible is a bible created for young children. It is broken into four different sections: Favorite Bible Classics, Words of Praise and Wisdom, More Stories of the Faith, and Songs & Prayers. The pictures in the book are just beautiful and fit so perfectly with the stories.

When I am trying to read the bible to my children there are a few things that I like to consider. 

 

How easy are the stories going to be for my children to understand, how accurate are the stories and how is the book illustrated.
Now, I know that the pictures in a book should not be all that important however when it comes to children being able to fully understand something, sometimes they need a visual.
The stories in this Bible are just perfect for young readers. My children have enjoyed me reading the stories and learning more about God.

Another thing that I love about this Bible is the family history at the front. I love that one day when my children are all grown up they will still have in writing where they came from and who their past relatives were. I hope that one day my little Hulk will pass this Bible on to his child and so on. Bibles like this one are meant to be a family heirloom.

Day 14

Day 14 – a non-fictional book

I love the Chicken Soup for the Souls books.

The stories always make me cry and are inspirational to read! 

Day 13

Day 13 – a fictional book

Well, my favorite fictional books are the 

House of Night Series 

or 

The Twilight Saga

I'm a quick and easy read what can I say!

Storytime for Me!

 

 FREE books! 

It does not get any better than free anything but free books is just wonderful!

That's right Story Time for Me is giving YOU 2 free books!

Story Time for Me is a way for children to hear and read books through their online library! I know that getting my kids to sit and read a book can be a challenge. However, they love to get on the computer and will sit and listen to and read the words on the screen of great books! 

This is a great way to help promote early reading in our young children and to help early readers to begin reading by themselves. I hope that all of my you will go check out this awesome site and help get your kids to see reading as a fun activity!

[Product review & giveaway disclosure: I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."]

Book Review: Out Live Your Life

So let me start off by saying that I have never read Max Lucado book before in my life. Now, let me say that I need to get and read all of his other books, I am a fan. This man has a way of taking certain things from the Bible and making them not only work into your life but shows you how to apply them to your everyday life.  

This book has made me start to think even more about where my life is heading and what I want my life to reflect after I am gone from Earth. The book is based on the Book of Acts to help inspire you the to help others. I have always been big on wanting to help others and this book has shown me that it is not always the big things that make a difference it is the little things as well.

Are you looking for a cute baby gift?

Well look no further than Really Wooly Bible Stories by Bonnie Rickner Jensen. This padded book is great for babies and young children. It is easy for children to hold and look through the pages without tearing them.

The stories are easy to understand for little kids and the colorful illustrations by Julie Sawyer Phillips are adorable. On every page there is a bible story geared for children to understand on their level. Along with where you can find that particular story in the bible.

The stories included in the book are Creation, Noah, Abraham, Moses,
The Ten Commandments, Jonah, the Birth of Jesus and many many more.

This is a great introduction bible to young kids who are just starting to understand and learn about God and Jesus. I highly recommend buying this book for the smaller children in your life. It would make a great Christmas present!

Books Books and more Books

So lately I have started reading more. You'd think being almost 28 I'd be reading something important or older literature. Well, you'd be wrong. No thanks maybe one day I'll feel the need to read the "classics" but for now I get my kicks reading about Vampires or Immortals. Seriously like my favorite type books right now. Only thing is most of these books are series, meaning I'm shelling out like 10-12 dollars per book. Which if you think about it gets pretty ridiculously expensive considering I have 4 kiddos. So I looked online for a book exchange or swap. Well the one I found I LOVE! All you have to do is create your account and then add the books, movies, video games and music that you are no longer using and in seconds you have all these options to trade with other people. best thing is you are saving money and the environment. Making your carbon footprint smaller with every exchange. So if you have a serious reading addiction and want to save some money then check it out...

www.swaptree.com