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How To Draw a Giraffe

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Our Book for our monthly Book Craft Challenge was “Giraffes Can’t Dance” by Giles Andreae and Guy Parker-Rees. I’d never read this book so I checked it out from the library – along with the half of the library that my kids selected – and read it with the kids.

I was trying to come up with a giraffe craft to do and my kids didn’t want to do anything with constructions paper. Finally, my 8yr old suggested that we draw a giraffe. So I drew, and she drew. Her giraffe dances way better than mine! And then my 6 yr old and 3 yr old colored all my giraffe pictures.

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This book is super cute and so much fun. The rhyme is great and it’s pretty short so you can read it multiple times without getting tired. My kids loved drawing and coloring Gerald!

Use a pencil, write lightly, so you can erase as needed.

Step 1. Draw an outline for the body, neck, and head. Write lightly, because a lot of these lines will be erased later.

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Step 2. Add some legs. Gerald (the Giraffe) had long, gangly legs so no need to be perfect.

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Step 3. Add some details. Tail, mane, horns, ear, fill out the eye and mouth a bit.

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Step 4. Erase your extra lines. Aren’t you glad you drew lightly? Color in the tail, hooves and any other dark areas.

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Step 5. Draw your spots, color in your giraffe.

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Or, draw your spots and let your kids color in the giraffe. Be creative, My 8 yr old made her giraffe dancing.

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Check out these other fun Giraffe Crafts!

Giraffe's Can't Dance Craft - Monthly Crafting Book Club is celebrating Giraffe's Can't Dance Crafts this month with a group of bloggers and crafts to show that Giraffes CAN dance.

This post does contain affiliate links.

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Ladybug Girl Craft

Ladybug Girl and Bumblebee Boy is one of my children’s favorite books. We received this book years ago as part of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library program. Which is a program she started here in Tennessee that mails each child under 5 one free book a month. We’ve discovered some truly awesome children’s books this way!

Since I have boys and girls, Ladybug Girl and Bumblebee Boy is a great book to read to all of them together, because there’s a fun character for each of them to follow along with.

And since all my kids love dressing up, this book is just so much fun!

I was excited when I saw that my monthly crafting book club was doing Ladybug Girl this month. My kids love this book, and they had so much fun making their own ladybug.

Supplies

Black Construction Paper
Red Construction Paper
White Paper
Scissors
Craft Glue
Pipe Cleaner

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Directions

  1. Cut 2 red circles – I folded my paper in half and cut them together so they’re exactly the same size.
  2. Cut one of these red circles in half.
  3. Cut 1 black circle – about 1/3 the size of the red circles
  4. Cut many tiny black circles of varying sizes
  5. Cut your pipe cleaner into six equal pieces
  6. Cut two eyes – I folded my paper in half and cut them together so they’re the same size.

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  1. Glue the black circle to the top of the red circle.
  2. Glue the two red half circles on top of the head, open them up as little or as much as you want for wings.
  3. Place some glue on the ends of each pipe cleaner piece and insert them between the red circle and the red half circles.
  4. Glue the eyes on the head
  5. Glue black dots on your red ladybug
  6. Let it dry before play with it

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This post does contain affiliate links.

Did you get a chance to see the other amazing crafts shared below by the other fabulous bloggers???





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Rhythms of Rest – Review

I received this book free for purposes of my review. All opinions are my own.

Rhythms of Rest by Shelly Miller – Finding the Spirit of Sabbath in a Busy World.

Are you tired? I know as a mom with young children, I am. And not just physically tired. I’m mentally exhausted from all the constant decision making I have to make, from having to be constantly “on” to keep up with the kids, and from the constant churn to keep up with life.

With 3 kids, homeschooling, and being small business owners, I and my husband are constantly busy.

I feel bad taking a break because there’s always more work to be done. This book, Rhythms of Rest, helps put all of that into perspective for me. Shelly Miller does a great job of explaining why we need rest or sabbath and how we can achieve that. From just being present at dinner with the family to actually taking that Sabbath or day of rest once a week and not feeling guilty about it.

It’s not just about taking a physical break from work, but also a mental break, and an emotional break. To just rest. The author encourages you to plan for your sabbath. It’s so hard to actually take a break if you don’t plan for it. Whether that’s doing more laundry on Saturday so there isn’t any on Sunday or just prioritizing my to-do list and knowing what can wait till Monday.

This book has been super helpful in just encouraging me to prepare for a day of rest and just realizing that I desperately need that day of rest and not feeling guilty about taking it. Because, trust me, that Mommy guilt thing is real, and it seriously keeps me from taking a break when I need it!

So, if you feel like you’re just slogging through parenting, don’t have time for yourself, and you’re just tired. Get this book and learn how to better utilize rest and don’t feel guilty about taking time for Sabbath.

.: This post does contain affiliate Links :.

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Conspiracy of Silence – Book Reivew

img_20170104_150636680_top Conspiracy of Silence (The Tox Files) by Ronie Kendig

I love trying out new Action Book authors. Because I love books that are full of action. So I was pretty excited to give this book a try. It sounded interesting and entertaining.

Conspiracy of Silence definitely did not disappoint. It started with some great action and kept going all the way to the end.

From the back cover, “Four years after a tragic mission decimated his team, Cole “Tox” Russell has been disavowed by the United States. And that’s fine – he just wants to be left alone. But when a dormant, centuries-old disease is unleashed, Tox is lured back into action.”

Tox rounds up a special forces team and they head out to save the world. Running into secret societies, deception, a global pandemic, and of course redemption along the way.

Of course, there’s always his past coming back to haunt him. And more bad guys than you can count. Throw in a love interest and complicated family matters, this book is packed with action, adventure, and intrigue!

All in all, an interesting and exciting read.

Want to get your own copy? It’s only $9 on Amazon!

I received this book free for purposes of my review. All opinions are my own.

This post does contain sponsored links.

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The Beginner’s Bible – Review and Giveaway

I received this book free for purposes of my review. All opinions are my own.

The Beginner’s Bible® has been a favorite with young children and their parents since its release in 1989 with over 25 million products sold. Now it’s redesigned with fresh new art that will excite children for many more years to come. Full of faith and fun, The Beginner’s Bible is a wonderful gift for any child. The easy-to-read text and bright, full-color illustrations on every page make it a perfect way to introduce young children to the stories and characters of the Bible. With new vibrant three-dimensional art and compelling text, more than 90 Bible stories come to life. Kids ages 6 and under will enjoy the fun illustrations of Noah helping the elephant onto the ark, Jonah praying inside the fish, and more, as they discover The Beginner’s Bible just like millions of children before.

The Beginner’s Bible was named the 2006 Retailers Choice Award winner in Children’s Nonfiction.

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My 5yr old was super excited to help me review this Beginner’s Bible. She’s been begging me for a new Bible and she just loves this one. The pictures are bright and fun and the stories are short and easy to read to her.

She even enjoys trying to read the stories on her own. They’re a bit above her reading level so she doesn’t get very far, but it’s still fun to try.

Since it’s Christmas time, she’s been picking stories about Jesus birth and other Christmas related stories for me to read to her each night. Super sweet.

This is an awesome Bible for young children!

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Check out the Beginner’s Bible Website for fun activities like coloring sheets and games.

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And check out this adorable trailer

Enter below for a chance to win a copy of The Beginner’s Bible.

Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the
Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post. Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway.  If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller / FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win.  Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. U.S. Winners only. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.

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Shattered Vigil – Review

The Shattered Vigil (The Darkwater Saga) by Patrick W. Carr

This is the second book in The Darkwater Saga Series. The first book is The Shock of Night. I read The Shattered Vigil without first reading The Shock of Night. It took me the first couple of chapters to get oriented to the characters and events but overall, it wasn’t that hard to pick it up in the middle of the story.

Though, if you have the time, reading the first book first is probably way better.

The Shattered Vigil was definitely an exciting read. I enjoyed it and once it got going, it was hard to put down.

Follow Willet and the Vigil as they fight to rescue their continent from the dark forces. There’s assassins, kings and queens, noblemen, and even church leaders who all want power and have differing agendas. Can Willet see through it all and save the continent?

This book was fun to read with non-stop excitement throughout!

I received this book free for purposes of my review. All opinions are my own.

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Charlie the Tramp – giveaway

Charlie the Tramp by Russell Hoban and pictures by Lillian Hoban. This book is a hardcover, 50th edition, reprint. After reading it I can see why it was the Winner of the Boys Club of America Junior Book Award, 1968. This is a fun book that my kids love to read and re-read.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Charlie the Beaver wants to be a tramp when he grows up. “Tramps don’t have to learn how to chop down trees and how to roll logs and how to build dams. Tramps just tramp around and have a good time. Tramps carry sticks with little bundles tied to them. They sleep in a field when the weather is nice, and when it rains they sleep in a barn.” Charlie sets off with his bundle. But when he hears water trickling, he can’t get to sleep. Will he be able to resist the urge to make it stop? As Grandfather Beaver says, “You never know when a tramp will turn out to be a beaver.”

An American classic is back in a special 50th anniversary hardcover edition.

This book is super cute. My younger kids enjoyed having this book read to them while my 3rd grader enjoyed reading this book on her own. It’s a beautiful, hard cover book that is a great addition to any kid’s library.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Russell Hoban (1925-2011) first became famous for his children’s picture books about a badger named Frances and other animal characters that have a lot in common with children we know – bedtime for Frances, A Baby Sister for Frances, Bread and Jam for Frances, and Emmit Otter’s Jug-band Christmas.

After reading Charlie the Tramp my 8yr old has requested a copy of Bread and Jam for Frances. Maybe I’ll surprise her for Christmas 🙂

ctrampABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR

Lillian Hoban (1925-1998), one of America’s favorite children’s book illustrators, is best known for a young chimpanzee named Arthur and his little sister, Violet. She also illustrated six of Russell Hoban’s books about Frances the badger, which have taken their place among the great classics of children’s literature. Lillian Hoban was born in Philadelphia and attended the Philadelphia Museum School of Art. She studied dance for ten years and became a professional dancer. She began to write and illustrate her own stories only after having children, basing her tales on their experiences.

The pictures in this book are just beautiful and they really add color to the story and make it come alive.

Find out more about Charlie the Tramp at the Plough website or on Amazon.

Enter below for a chance to win your very own copy of Charlie the Tramp!

“Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255:  “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”):  Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway.  Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation.  I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway.  If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller /FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win.  Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again.  Winner is subject to eligibility verification. Giveaways winners for this promotion can only be for residents of the continental U.S.

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Bookroo Black Friday Sale

Curated. Wrapped. Delivered. Basically, it’s reading made easy. Bookroo is a subscription service that sends your child 0-6 two to three books every month.

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Bookroo’s mission is to help kids fall in love with reading. At $23 or less per month for your monthly book box they make it convenient and affordable for parents to build their children’s libraries. And, for Black Friday you can get an extra 25% off any multi-month subscription with code TREATYOSELF . That’s less than $16 per month if you sign up for a 12 month subscription! It’s hard for me to purchase even 1 book for $16. Talk about a great deal!

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Bookroo’s goal is to send the hidden gems that you don’t already own. They find books that are not easy to find online or in stores. Which means you won’t be getting books that you already have. If you receive a book that you already own, just send them a picture of you giving the book to someone else and they’ll give you $5 off your next subscription. Because Bookroo is all about giving back.  My kids just love new books!

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Their books are extensively reviewed by a panel of 12 families attending Stanford University and their combined 22 kids.

Bookroo helps parents build their children’s book collections in an affordable and exciting way through curated monthly book deliveries. Because it’s never too early to start reading to children! And what better way to encourage your kids to read than with a monthly box of books just for them! I know my children love opening any box that comes in the mail. And a box just for them is super exciting!

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Bookroo’s packaging is recycled (and recyclable!) and they donate childrens’ books to children in need through Reach Out And Read!

Check out Bookroo’s website for more details and to start your own subscription. And, don’t forget, enter code TREATYOSELF for 25% off your multi-month subscription.

This is a sponsored post.

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Christmas Love Letters from God – Review and Giveaway

I received this book free for purposes of my review. All opinions are my own.

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Christmas Love Letters from God – by Glenys Nellisit and illustrated by Rachel Clowes.

Written for children ages four to eight, Christmas Love Letters from God cleverly combines both prose and poetry as the story of Jesus’ birth unfolds. The book includes seven stories, beginning with Isaiah’s prophecy and ending with the visit of the wise men. Following each story, the child will find his or her own letter from God, folded into a small envelope attached to the page. Each letter begins with a space in which to write the child’s name, so each one can be specially addressed to the child.

Written as if God is speaking, each personalized message gives the young reader a sense of wonder as they discover anew the Christmas holiday and the birth of Jesus. A very special Bible verse, entitled God’s Perfect Promise, also accompanies each story and letter as God’s personal words of love, promise, and hope.

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My 5yr old and 8 yr old were super excited to get this book! In fact, I had to go sneak it back out of their room so I could actually review it.

Each story has it’s own “Love Letter” from God. In each letter there is a line for a child’s name. My girls took turns and wrote their names in every other letter so they get to share the letters.

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They also stuck a little heart sticker next to their name on each letter.

These stories are perfect for them and they just love the personalized letters. This is definitely a favorite book this holiday season.

The stories are short enough that they hold their interest throughout and the book has lots of great colorful pictures for them to enjoy as well.

There are 4 stores you can purchase this book from:
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
GoodReads
Zondervan

And you can enter below for a chance to win a copy of Christmas Love Letters from God

“Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255:  “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”):  Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway.  Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation.  I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway.  If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller /FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win.  Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again.  Winner is subject to eligibility verification.

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Growing Up Social – Review

Growing Up Social: Raising Relational Kids in a Screen-Driven World – by Gary Chapman and Arlene Pellicane

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How has the digital age and technology affected our children? How does it affect my relationship with my children? How much technology is too much? What can I as a parent do to help my kids stay connected in real relationships?

All these questions and more are answered in this book. This is pretty standard Gary Chapman. He breaks the book down into sections like anger management (you’d be amazed at what research shows about screen time and anger) and shyness.

While there’s lots of research cited in the book about what is healthy screen time for you and your kids and how all this technology is changing our brains, Chapman also focus a lot on how to relate to your children and what skills need a little extra focus these days.

He gives great advice for setting guidelines for technology usage and what we as parents can do to set a good example for our children. Sometimes, something as simple as putting your phone away for dinner can make a big difference to your children. It’s important that my children know that they are way more important than my phone!

This book is great for if you’re just looking for some good guidelines or for if you need help to make some needed changes. Wherever you’re at as a parent, you’ll find some great info and suggestions for helping your kids use technology in a way that doesn’t interfere with their relationships with people around them.

I received this book free for purposes of my review. All opinions are my own.