Building God’s Kingdom with the Boys

As a Tommy Nelson Mommy, I receive products in exchange for posting. No other compensation is received. Affiliate links may be included.

Teaching little ones to be honest, help others and be good kids that follow God can be challenging. If I were to read from my King James Bible to Charlie every day, he probably wouldn’t get much from it. We do read to him from his Children’s Bible, but I love that we’re able to add in books that are focused around things he likes and still have lessons.

The new series from Andy Holmes, Building God’s Kingdom, is about a group of friends (Dozer, Diggit, Stretch and Tipper) that happen to be construction vehicles. I know in our house, anything that goes is always a hit. Both boys love to push their cars around and will play with them for hours. We already have quite a few books about trucks and such, but none quite like these.

Holiday Books from Candlewick Press

I received product in exchange for this post, but all opinions are my own. Affiliate links are included.

We love reading! It’s that simple. I grew up reading giant books in just a couple of days and hope that my boys develop a love of reading as well. Right now, I think we’re on track for that. We actually have a ton of books and if you ask Charlie, “I not need any more books. I has plenty”. He does have plenty, but I don’t think you can ever really have too many books. I think the key is to only have so many out at a time. I love being able to pull out holiday books and stock our shelves in preparation for Christmas!

Candlewick Press has some beautiful books that are perfect to pull out with our Christmas stash or to give as gifts!

Awaken Love The Song Devotional

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Do you remember when you first started dating your spouse? That time was so magical and special! Shouldn't marriage be that way too? Marriage should be all about giving freely to one another, but instead it becomes robotic and we do the same thing day after day without thinking. When you add children in, it becomes even crazier. The saying is "time flies when you're having fun", but I'm pretty sure it flies by us whether we're having fun or not. I think we could all use a little more fun and love in our marriage. 

We need to work on putting God at the center of our marriage, so it can flourish and we can grow together as He intended. I recently received Awaken Love (The Song Couple's Devotional) and I'm really looking forward to going through it with Tom. We just finished our first small group study through our church, but this is something we could do with just us.

Personalized Books from I See Me!

This unique gift is brought especially to you by our friends at internationally award-winning publisher Chronicle Books. We received a free book, but all opinions are my own. Affiliate links may be included.

Charlie is a reader, just like Mommy, so his Christmas presents always include a few books! I am so excited for him to open his I See Me! personalized book!

Today at the grocery store, Charlie pointed and started saying excitedly “I see A, I see A”. There was an “A” in the word bakery above the deli/bakery. He’s at that stage where he’s all about the alphabet and loves finding his name and letters that he knows in our everyday travels.

I See Me! offers all kinds of unique personalized gifts: Lunchboxes / Puzzles /Coloring Books/ Placemats / Stickers  and Growth Charts! Something for everyone and every occasion! For Charlie, we chose a personalized book: M is for Me!

Ripley’s Believe It or Not!: Reality Shock!

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When we were in Myrtle Beach in October, we visited Ripley’s Believe It or Not Odditorium. There are certainly some crazy things you can find in there! While walking through, I knew that this was something older kids would LOVE! I was happy to receive Ripley’s newest book and think it will be a great gift this year for one of Charlie’s older cousins.

With all new content, Reality Shock! is a mix of “can’t bear to look, but can’t look away” stories, people, facts and photos. It’s just the ticket for teens and tweens, whether they’re reluctant readers or constant page-turners.

 

Eric Carle at Gymboree

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You can now view the Eric Carle Collection available at Gymboree. Gymboree has partnered with Eric Carle, inviting kids to play all day and dream all night in its new limited edition play and sleepwear collection featuring the World of Eric Carle™. Children love his books and now they can wear his art! 

Tomorrow, September 5th, from 10am-12pm, families are invited to visit any one of the Gymboree retail locations (outlets excluded) for caterpillar crafts and story time! Parents can find printable coloring sheets and activities inspired by The World of Eric Carle on http://www.gymboree.com/promo/campaign/ericcarle/eric-carle.html.

Eric Carle is the beloved illustrator of such children’s classics as Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See and The Very Hungry Caterpillar. The partnership brings two iconic, parent-trusted brands together and builds on Gymboree’s rich heritage in colorful, quality sleepwear that parents love and children never want to change out of.

Beverly Lewis Coming to Exton 9/12

I received a gift card in return for sharing this event information. This post contains affiliate links.

The newest novel from Beverly Lewis, The River, is on sale today! From September 4-13, 2014, Beverly Lewis will be appearing at bookstores and libraries in Pennsylvania and Maryland to meet fans and sign copies of her latest novel!

On Friday, September 12th, you can find her at the Family Christian Store in Whiteland Towne Center in Exton, PA.

10:00 am EST at Family Christian Store
Whiteland Towne Center, 197 W Lincoln Hwy  (map)
For more information, call 484-875-5867

Tilly and Ruth, two formerly Amish sisters, are plagued by unresolved relationships when they reluctantly return to Lancaster County for their parents’ landmark wedding anniversary. Since departing their Plain upbringing, Tilly has married an Englisher, but Ruth remains single hasn’t entirely forgotten her failed courtship with her Amish beau.

Past meets present as Tilly and Ruth yearn for acceptance and redemption. Can they face the future in the light of a past they can’t undo?

Collage.com for Quick & Easy Photo Book

If you’re anything like me, you have a ton of photos that you snap with your phone and never do anything with. Here’s a new company to get those photos you have easily made into a book!

Create a professional photo book with a single click using Collage.com's One-Click Photo Book. Select photos of any size from Facebook, Instagram, Flickr, or your computer and they will instantly suggest a clean, professional layout that you can further customize.

Books to Read Before Starting Preschool

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Last night I went to a meeting at Charlie’s Preschool. I think he’ll be good to go and he’s super excited already. When I was working, Charlie went to daycare about once a month during the school year and once a week during the summer. He loved it and I know he’ll love going to preschool. Preschool for Charlie will be 2.5 hours a day twice a week. Although it’s not a daily thing, it’s definitely going to be a big change for him to have a schedule now.

Before preschool starts, we’re checking out some of these books to help with the change and prepare for preschool to start.

Huge Savings at Blurb

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Mostafa Keyhani is an extraordinary painter. Drawing from the Impressionist tradition, his work is alive with color and texture as he uses thin washes, areas of bare canvas, and thick impasto to impart an expression of organic life. While his paintings fetch high prices in galleries across the United States and Canada, his self-published books give each of his fans a chance to own his art. Keyhani is a Canadian resident born in Iran, and has had a journey as fantastic as his art. In this video, Blurb captures a glimpse at Keyhani's remarkable creative process. Perhaps it will inspire you to make your own book with Blurb.

Maya Angelou’s Words to Live By

Author, poet, activist and Phenomenal woman Dr Maya Angelou passed May 28, 2014.

“Try to be a rainbow in someone’s cloud.” – Letter to My Daughter

“All great achievements require time.”

“Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination full of hope.” – Angelou’s Facebook

“You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.” – Letter to My Daughter

“If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude. Don't complain.”

"Women should be tough, tender, laugh as much as possible, and live long lives."

“Listen to yourself and in that quietude you might hear the voice of God.” - Maya Angelou’s last tweet on May 23, 2014

Children’s Books for Dads

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Of course, these books aren’t exactly gifts “for” dads, but they’re books that Dad can enjoy reading to (or with) their munchkins!

Daddy and Me – Karen Katz

Just Me and My Dad – Mercer Mayer

Spot Loves His Daddy – Eric Mill

Daddy Is My Hero – Dawn Richards

I Love My Daddy – Sebastien Braun

Whaley’s Big Adventure

Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial.

Reading is very important in our house. For Charlie’s baby shower we received a book from everyone instead of cards. Every night before bed, we read a book. We had the chance to review a new book presented by award-winning author Carole P. Roman, written by her grandson, Alexander Luke. And the really awesome part: Alexander is only 5!

In the book, Whaley goes on an adventure learning about different kinds of whales that he encounters in his home. Did you know there are 40 different kinds of whales? I didn’t. I definitely learned some things from this book, and I know Charlie did as well. He was checking out the pictures (illustrated by Alexander Luke) and telling me about the whale’s teeth and what color they were.

Our Favorite Bedtime Books

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We read (at least 1 book) to Charlie every night. I think it is very important to develop a love of reading in a child from the beginning. For Charlie’s baby shower, everyone brought us a book. Some of these were included and some we picked up along the way.

The Going-To-Bed Book – Sandra Boynton

Disney Bedtime Favorites (Storybook Collection)

Goodnight Moon – Margaret Wise Brown

I’ll See You in the Morning – Mike Jolley

Time for Bed – Mem Fox

On the Night You Were Born – Nancy Tillman

Make a Book About Your Favorite Person to Win $2,500 from Blurb

(This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.)

Did you know that Blurb might give you $2,500 to read about your favorite person? All you have to do is make a book about a loved one filled with all sorts of kind words, creativity and insight, and if selected, you could win the grand prize!