Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Celebrating & Savoring a simple Christmas Winner!!


The winner of Celebrating & Savoring a simple Christmas is....

DK Ethington said...
I love Crystal's blog and would love the opportunity to win a copy of her new ebook. I'm starting to hit panic mode with Christmas quickly approaching and a family of 7 kiddos to shop for and help to make the season loving and memorable! :)

Congratulations! Please email me at amkrewald@att.net and I will get you the information on how to redeem your prize!

This special is good through Thursday!

Celebrating & Savoring a Simple Christmas- E-Book Review


I had the chance to review Crystal at Money Saving Mom's new e-book Celebrating & Savoring a Simple Christmas. 


I was excited to read this e-book because I long for this season to be simple and meaningful. And...Crystal did not disappoint!

Crystal starts out recommending an all cash budget using the envelope system. Brilliant! We will be writing a list of everyone we need to buy gifts for and creating envelopes filled with our budgeted amount with their names on them. I can see how this right away will ease some of our holiday stress!

The idea that I LOVED the most was creating a December bucket list. You will absolutely be seeing my bucket list posted some time in the next week. It would feel amazing to prioritize what I for sure want to do over the holiday and then do it!

This e-book is packed with practical advice and lists and ideas and on and on..........!!

My favorite lists and ideas?
-cool unusual ideas for Christmas photo backdrops
-Crystal's favorite Christmas books
-great holiday freezer recipes (I can't wait to make some of these)!!
-easy Christmas crafts for the kids

Celebrating & Savoring a Simple Christmas is only $.99 through Thursday. I highly recommend you pick up your own copy. I know I will be referring to it throughout the season!

Would you like to win your own copy or win a copy for a friend? Leave me a comment and I will pick a winner tonight at 9:00 central time. 
**Giveaway is now closed**


Friday, October 26, 2012

If You Give a Mouse a Cookie- 31 Days of Activities Based on Children's Books

Our book today was If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Numeroff.

We have had stomach flu in our house for the last couple of days but it seems to finally be gone.
I decided we should celebrate by making cookies!

We just used the recipe on the Nestle chocolate chip bag.
Aubrey is ready to begin!
She cracked the egg....
and helped stir the dough.
When the dough was ready, she filled the cookie sheet with cookie dough balls.
If you make cookies with a little girl, she will probably ask to sample one...
Yum!!

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

The Very Hungry Caterpillar- 31 Days of Activities Based on Children's Books

Our book today was The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle.
After we read the book, Aubrey made a caterpillar.

We made the caterpillar in two steps.
First, she watercolor painted two pieces of paper.

Then, we let them dry.
When they were dry, I used a cup to draw circles on the back of the papers.
Aubrey cut them out.

She glued the circles on a paper and gave her caterpillar a face. 
Here is her caterpillar...
I love the cute little face!



*affiliate link used

21 Days to a More Disciplined Life E-book Review

I had the opportunity to review a copy of 21 Days to a More Disciplined Life by Crystal of Money Saving Mom this weekend.


21 Days to a More Disciplined Life is a very inspiring read. I read it at night and couldn't sleep afterward. My mind was racing with all the great ideas Crystal shares!

Two of my favorite ideas in this e-book...

-"I am the problem, but I am also the solution."
Crystal makes this statement and I think it is brilliant in its simplicity. When I change my mindset to how I can make changes in my life, I am more likely to be successful.

-Make small changes over time.
Crystal encourages making one change into a habit before adding a new change to work on. I know in my life I like to overhaul my whole life in one day and within a week I am back to my old ways.
Soo...I am going to take Crystal's advice and start with one habit at a time.

I also really like that Crystal walks you through finishing a Mega-Project. This book stresses actions, which is so important. Reading an inspiring book without acting on the principles doesn't create change!

I could write on and on about all the great ideas in this book, but I will instead encourage you to pick up a copy. Crystal is offering an incredible .99 special through Thursday, October 25th.

You will be inspired and encouraged by this e-book. I am going to work on healthy living for my mega-project. If you are going to pick up this book, I would love to hear what you will be working on. I can't wait to get started!

**I received a copy of this book to review, but all opinions are my own.

Monday, October 22, 2012

My Little Reader...

I love that this sweet girl loves to read as much as I do...


Cloudette- 31 Days of Activities Based on Children's Books

Our book for today was Cloudette by Tom Lichtenheld. It is a sweet book about a small cloud that sees all the big clouds doing important things. Cloudette finds that she can do something important even though she is small.

I love books like this because we have a huge age difference with our 4 kids (the oldest is 17 and the youngest is 4). I like to take the opportunity to encourage the younger children that they have an important role in our family!
                                        
After we read our book, I let Aubrey play with "clouds".

I just squirted some shaving cream on a cookie sheet and let her play with it.

I think it is so important to provide some activities that have no end product...just pure child-directed fun!


She loved playing with the shaving cream...and she smelled great when she was done!



*affiliate link used



 
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