Books of the Month Collab ll April 2018

Sharing what I read this month... some biography, some healthy living, and an challenging read about our homeschool.

This Open Collab is hosted by Ingrid @ Mommy & Mia Homeschool Chronicles: http://bit.ly/2zpOZBU
and April @ The Simple Rugged Path: http://bit.ly/2zqFXo3

Playlist link: http://bit.ly/2hXr8zl

Books and Coffee Tag Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=72s3RDgteMs&t=1s

Healthy Living Handbook Review:
https://creative2xmom.blogspot.com/2018/04/the-healthy-living-handbook-review.html

Can't Nothing Bring Me Down Review:
https://creative2xmom.blogspot.com/2018/04/cant-nothing-bring-me-down-review.html

Join The Creative2xmom Family on their journey of being a family of 5! 💑16yrs led to 👱12 yrs, 👧10 yrs, and 👱 6 yrs.

Contact us for business inquiries, reviews and collaborations: BethAnn_97@hotmail.com

C O N N E C T
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The Healthy Living Handbook {Review}

Laura Harris Smith focuses on the spirit, mind, body connection in her latest book.  Divided into these three sections, Smith asserts that health in all three areas of life are what make for a well-rounded healthy lifestyle.  Easy, accessible action steps in each chapter address various areas of health and improved lifestyle.  

The premise of this book is on point.  Healthy Living involves all aspects of life.  And there were some shining moments in this book.  The best section of this book really is found in the focus on spiritual disciplines: prayer, meditation, etc.  Smith speaks with powerful conviction and clarity about one's spiritual life.  However, much of what was shared in the mind and body section is repeated information.  Advice like clearing away clutter, drinking more water, and eat your vegetables has been around for some time and is quite well known.

This book was a mixed bag.  Much of the reading is good advice.  Combining all three areas in complete health is the perfect combination for healthy living.  However, where Smith falters is in her simplicity of the mind and body sections.  For one starting out this healthy living journey, this is a great starting point, but it doesn't offer much for those walking this path for awhile.

*Disclaimer: I received this book free from the publisher.  All opinions are my own.  

Weekend Links

Creation Illustrated Review

Easy Homemade Churros

School Triples Recess and the Results are Incredible

Chicken Kale Salad

DIY Succulent Projects

What I'm Cooking:

Spring is here and we all have spring fever.  We're trudging along in school, but really just wanting to do the fun stuff.  So Lydia and I have been baking and cooking and spending a lot of time in the kitchen.  Right now, we're experimenting with Amish Friendship Bread.  It's been a good lesson in baking, interacting with others, and just plain fun.

What I'm Reading:

I just picked up a book in the last 24 hours called Raising World Changers by Kristen Welch.  She's a few blogger and the founder of Mercy House in Kenya.  I haven't read enough to feel comfortable sharing with you.  However, I am anxious to get into it.  

What I'm Doing:

Oh, I'm going to lots of baseball games.  This is the time of year that things get really stressful.  We're tired of school, Little League is keeping us busy, and we're adjusting to quick weather changes.  It's been a little stressful and I'm finding myself challenged to relax.  I'm an extreme Type A and it can lead to a heightened level of stress. And I'm struggling to find calming techniques.

What I'm Watching: 

We've been watching The British Baking Champion.  We just love baking shows.

What I'm Enjoying: 

Tire Swings... Kitty Snuggles... Science Experiments... Container Gardening...

What are you up to?

Resources for a Bird Themed Unit Study

Today we're sharing with your all the resources we used in our bird themed unit study.  And stick around till the end where I share our Top 5 Resources to spend your money on.

Join The Creative2xmom Family on their journey of being a family of 5! 💑16yrs led to 👱12 yrs, 👧10 yrs, and 👱 6 yrs.

Contact us for business inquiries, reviews and collaborations: BethAnn_97@hotmail.com

C O N N E C T
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FTC DISCLOSURE: This video is not sponsored.

Coffee and Book Lovers Tag

Today I'm sharing the Coffee and Book Lovers Tag.  Some wonderful books to share with you and a few stinkers.  :-)

April from The Simple Rugged Path:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UN12mAQ7AXk

Chalice from Sodbuster Living:
https://www.youtube.com/user/cneipp

Claire from Cookie Crumb Fun:
https://www.youtube.com/user/couponclippingclaire

Playlist:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLId_JNKYCQ7JCbRY6M3QpOQCRunoamqqG&jct=QrL6TKtKDxJ46vOnt4d7yQC1ysrVPQ&disable_polymer=true

Join The Creative2xmom Family on their journey of being a family of 5! 💑16yrs led to 👱12 yrs, 👧10 yrs, and 👱 6 yrs.

Contact us for business inquiries, reviews and collaborations: BethAnn_97@hotmail.com C O N N E C T subscribe at http://www.youtube.com/creative2xmom read at http://www.creative2xmom.blogspot.com like me on http://www.facebook.com/creative2xmom follow me on https://www.instagram.com/creative2xmom/ FTC DISCLOSURE: This video is not sponsored.

The Questions Are
1. Light and Sweet: Name a book or series that the content is light and friendly for all readers. 
2. Black: Name a book that was rough but a great read.
3. Pumpkin Swirl: Name a book that get more popular during a specific time of season.
4. Decaf: Name a book that you expected more from.
5. Espresso Shot: Name a book that was nail biting from start to finish.
6. Iced: Name a book that needs more sizzle.
7. Drip: Name a book that you are currently reading that is taking forever to finish or name a book you 
have read that felt like forever to finish.

8. Hot Cocoa: Your favorite read aloud(s) with you kids.
9. French Vanilla: Name your favorite foreign book or author.
10. House Blend: Name your top three book genres.
11. Tea: Name your favorite Poet or share your favorite poem.
12. Free Refill: which book can you read over and over again?

Kids In The Garden ll Collab

Spring is here and we are gardening.  The kids talked me into planting a small variety of herbs and vegetables,  and we've been pleasantly surprised by the results.  See what worked for us, and what feel flat.

The Simple Rugged Path-
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7HVorQE8LgvYfw8_zPiDAQ
Reliable Roots https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGsl6kjan9O_FCHdlfQ1m9A

The playlist
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFdamhRE3YEA-1LLsbrQGMEgAWgEFC5ct&jct=ETKotv65wtRRgvYcmG5LpXWoJgNKNg

Contact us for business inquiries, reviews and collaborations: BethAnn_97@hotmail.com

C O N N E C T
subscribe at http://www.youtube.com/creative2xmom
read at http://www.creative2xmom.blogspot.com
like me on http://www.facebook.com/creative2xmom
follow me on https://www.instagram.com/creative2xmom/

FTC DISCLOSURE: This video is not sponsored.

April Homeschool Favorites

April was a lot of fun. Between celebrating National Poetry Month, studying birds, and breaking out some favorite board games, learning was a whole lot of fun.

Join The Creative2xmom Family on their journey of being a family of 5! 💑16yrs led to 👱12 yrs, 👧10 yrs, and 👱 6 yrs.

Collab w/ FullTimeWifeLife: https://www.youtube.com/user/FullTimeWifeLife

Contact us for business inquiries, reviews and collaborations: BethAnn_97@hotmail.com

C O N N E C T
subscribe at http://www.youtube.com/creative2xmom
read at http://www.creative2xmom.blogspot.com
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FTC DISCLOSURE: This video is not sponsored.

What I Eat In A Day- 21 Day Fix ll Collab

Join me today as I share what I ate in a day while TRYING to follow 21 Day Fix (Bracket B).  It's tough, squeezing in protein, cutting some carbs, and finding alternate desserts.

Playlist link:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5GkvzudsTs6EoMyWU2xSozCyoRQGOLTs&jct=EIMcXMdkCwU86euvn3rOme9SP7M3zg&disable_polymer=true

Join The Creative2xmom Family on their journey of being a family of 5! 💑16yrs led to 👱12 yrs, 👧10 yrs, and 👱 6 yrs.

Contact us for business inquiries, reviews and collaborations: BethAnn_97@hotmail.com

C O N N E C T
subscribe at http://www.youtube.com/creative2xmom
read at http://www.creative2xmom.blogspot.com
like me on http://www.facebook.com/creative2xmom
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FTC DISCLOSURE: This video is not sponsored.

Can't Nothing Bring Me Down {Review}

The touching memoir of 101 year old record holding runner, Ida Keeling tells her story, from the daughter of immigrants to single mom of four.  But her greatest challenge comes when dealing with the brutal murders of both her sons.  Feeling hopeless and lost, Miss Ida was ready to give up.  Until one day when her daughter showed up with a pair of running shoes.  And with a little push, Miss Ida started running for her life.

I had mixed feelings about this book.  I wanted to cheer on Miss Ida and at times I did.  Getting back up after ever knock in life (missing high school graduation because of an $8 project, raising her boys despite their father's absence, working multiple jobs to support her children), Miss Ida demonstrated true grit and determination in the face of a far from ideal life.  When you add up all that she's been through, it's a wonder that she kept moving forward, let alone with such a concrete will.

On the other hand, I expected more from the book.  Maybe more insight into what kept her moving forward.  How did she find the courage to keep getting back up?  How did she see her way through loosing both her sons to horrific murders within the span of less than two years?  I want to sit at Miss Ida's feet and learn the secret to her grit.  In reading her story, she certainly is a woman to admire and yet, I wanted more.  More about what kept her going.  Instead, I was left wanting.

The book was ok.  Miss Idea Keeling has certainly spent the last 100+ years cramming in every up and down that life has to offer.  I just wish there would have been more insight into her personally, instead of simply a memoir.

*Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.  All opinions are my own.

Spring Themed Poetry Tea Time

Join us for our Spring Themed Poetry Tea Time... the rain is back so we're snuggling up with a cup of hot coco and some chocolatey treats and reading some poetry!

Poetry Playlist:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdjdO-GTiTDWFJgSatkUJGEnrcLj8PVmH&jct=BqWQO1v99qa4JBG9NPwmFAyju02Ddw&disable_polymer=true

Join The Creative2xmom Family on their journey of being a family of 5! 💑16yrs led to 👱12 yrs, 👧10 yrs, and 👱 6 yrs.

Contact us for business inquiries, reviews and collaborations: BethAnn_97@hotmail.com

C O N N E C T
subscribe at http://www.youtube.com/creative2xmom
read at http://www.creative2xmom.blogspot.com
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FTC DISCLOSURE: This video is not sponsored.

Music Attribution:
The_Opening by Dan Leibowitz

Teaching Poetry Memorization to Children

 Do you struggle with how to start memorizing poetry in your homeschool?  This video will give you some simple ideas for getting started.

Join The Creative2xmom Family on their journey of being a family of 5! 💑16yrs led to 👱12 yrs, 👧10 yrs, and 👱 6 yrs.

Contact us for business inquiries, reviews and collaborations: BethAnn_97@hotmail.com

C O N N E C T
subscribe at http://www.youtube.com/creative2xmom
read at http://www.creative2xmom.blogspot.com
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FTC DISCLOSURE: This video is not sponsored.

17 Frugal Outdoor Activities for Families

Spring is here and with that warmer temperatures are right around the corner.  While you're planning out the next couple of months, here are some frugal outdoor activities to enjoy as a family.

Build a fort or teepee

Painting cardboard boxes

Painting wooden craft projects

Jump in a pile of leaves

Put on a bike parade

Start a worm farm

Study the layers of soil

Paint with colored water

Spray paint a picture

Organize a talent show

Have a brown bag scavenger hunt

Put on a car wash

Paint rocks

Have a picnic

Create bird feeders

Start a rock collection

Start a garden

How are you celebrating the return of spring?