Oh the weather here has been cold. Ok, not Minnesota cold, but decently cold for us. Dropping into the 30's is cold for this mama. So my favorite meals lately have been as much soup as I can cram into our meal plan. And the kids have been loving it too. Thinking of adding potato soup to our meals next week.
What's your favorite soup?
What I'm Reading:
My reading list has gotten a little out of control lately. I'm slowly working my way through Inside American Education by Thomas Sowell. It's very thick in content so I've been taking it slow, but so many things I didn't even know about education.
What I'm Doing:
This is our first week out of school for our Christmas break. We've been filling our days with all the fun activities: skating, children's museum, and a snow day.
I'm thinking we need to go mini-golfing next week, but I need the weather to warm up. :-)
Fifth-grader Jillian just wants to make it through. Don't stand out. Don't get noticed. Go with the flow. And she's pretty much got it down. But what's a fifth-grader to do when she intuitively knows there's more to life? More to who she is?
Just Right Jillian is a relatable book about growing up and becoming who you were meant to be. Through her family, friendships, and her own determination, Jillian finds the strength to break out of the mold and share her gifts with the world.
This contemporary middle school read shares a wonderful message with its audience. For any child that's struggled with speaking up, Jillian is a delightful role model. She shares honestly about her struggles without minimizing her fears. But she also doesn't allow them to rule over her. Just Right Jillian also deals with themes of loss, friendship, positive family relationships, and growing up, all in an age appropriate manner. There was very little questionable content or red flags in this book, a rarity in middle school literature. This would make a great read for kids struggling to find their voice and live with confidence. Jillian is a rare gem.
*Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
January 21st--Martin Luther King Jr. Day Help your children write down their dreams. Read Who was Martin Luther King Jr. Break open a white and brown egg to show they are the same on the inside.
January 23rd--National Handwriting Day Brush up o your cursive. Learn a new bullet journal font. Practice some calligraphy.
January 31st--Inspire Your Heart with Art Day
Study an artist in a given time period. Take a pastel chalk art lesson Create fingerprint art. Practice with Art for Kids Hub on Youtube.
Winter is here and with it, new ways to enjoy the season as a family. But with the holidays upon us, we getting even more creative with our finances and looking for ways to have some frugal family fun. So besides all the hustle and bustle of the Christmas, if you're looking for inexpensive ways to spend time together as a family, here are 8 fun ideas to get your creativity flowing:
1. Build a snowman--We all have a creative side when it comes to snowmen and no two are ever alike. Maybe yours has a fancy scarf while your chid's has funny facial features. Get creative. Maybe even make a contest out of it. For an extra touch of creativity, fill spray bottles with colored water to add detail.
2. Go sledding--We haven't done this the past couple of years, but my kids love it. It's a great way to burn off some energy and spend time together at the same time. Make a day of it with turkey sandwiches and hot cocoa too.
3. Have a snowball fight--While you're at it, why not start a snowball fight too? See who can make the best snowballs or the best baracade to hide behind. Divide into teams, boys against girls or parents against kids.
4. Make snow ice cream--We don't get a lot of snow so we tried this for the first time just a few years ago. With just a few ingredients you can make a fun winter treat that even the kids can be involved in. And it's cheap!
5. Look at Christmas lights--Load up the kids in the car with some hot cocoa and some Christmas music and you're all set for an adventure. Make a game out of it. Have a scavenger hunt while you're looking. Who can spot the Grinch? Which houses have a Nativity Set? How many candy cane trees will you see?
6. Go on a hike--Yes, it's snowy, and windy. But you know what? We can still enjoy the vitamin D. Getting out for a little sun and fresh does us all some good. And there's still plenty of places to hike and enjoy this time of year.
7. Go ice skating-- Confession time... I've never been ice skating. I've just never lived somewhere that it's been a possibility. But how fun does that sound? Holding hands around the skating rink... laughing... listening to Christmas music... and getting some fresh air.
8. Service Santa--This one sounds like so much fun and could really happen any time of year. Instead of buying gifts for each other, why not do service projects for each other? Draw a name, do chores for each other, surprise each other with gifts of service, and try to keep it a secret all at the same time. We've already drawn names this year, but I totally think we're doing this one next year.
What are your ideas for Frugal Family Fun in the Winter?
While the past two years have been challenging, many of us are finding ourselves more anxious than ever. And while we recognize that worrying about life doesn't solve anything, letting go of those concerns can be overwhelming. Learning healthy ways to deal with stress is needed in pursuing a life of freedom. 52 Weeks of Resilience guides its reader through strategies of gratitude, prayer, habit formation and more in order to release life's concerns.
The journal topics in this book are Christian in nature and continually point the reader back to God. Each week contains Scripture, a short 2-3 line devotional, a prompt to reflect and journal on, and a response action to take at the end. These selections focus on the goodness of God, his faithfulness and provision. They're written to encourage the reader to release worries and reframe their thought life. And there's plenty of space for journalling and reflection on how this applies to day to day life. 52 Weeks to Resilience is a wonderful tool for managing daily stress and anxiety.
*Disclaimer: I received an e-copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
Our menu this week was pretty normal for this time of year: lots of soup. But it's funny how easy it is to take a recipe that you make all the time, change it up just a little, and it feels totally different.
For example, we had chicken noodle soup on the menu this week. Everything was in the crockpot and I was getting ready to cook the egg noodles before we sat down to dinner. What do you know... no noodles. You know what else??? No problem.
I dug around in the pantry and found some left over orzo to supplement.
It's amazing how a small change like that totally changed up something that would normally be very routine and we all loved it.
What I'm Reading:
I just finished reading In Order to Live by Yeomi Park. I had heard parts of her story and the crazy reality of what she escaped, but reading it as a whole, it's overwhelming to see all that she's lived through.
I'm still processing a lot of what I read, but all that to say, it's a very powerful book and a great inside look at the reality of communism in North Korea. Very timely!
What I'm Doing:
Last weekend we hosted Lydia's 14th birthday (just a little early). Having a December birthday means most of her birthdays turn into some sort of Christmas party. Gingerbread houses, gingerbread men, Christmas lights, and family... it was a fun party and a great way to celebrate the season.
It's time once again to share what we've been reading! We love books in our home and I'm excited to share with you all the wonderful treasures we found in the month of November.Join The Creative2xmom Family on their journey of being a family of 5! 💑20yrs led to 👱16 yrs, 👧13 yrs, and 👱 10 yrs.
My Personal Reads
How to Ruin Your Life by 30
by Steve Farrar
I pre-read this book to see if it would be appropriate for my 14 year old and decided instead that it was better suited for my 16 year old. There wasn't anything that the younger one shouldn't read, rather it was just better suited for someone older. The chapters are short, quick to read, and full of sound advice. They re-enforce such ideas as seeking the Lord for future plans, wisely selecting a mate, and seeking community. This isn't ground breaking material, but it's delivered in a humorous manner that would make a teen or twenty-something take notice.
Divine Disruption
by Tony Evans, Crystal Evans Hurst, Priscilla Shirer,
Anthony Evans, and Jonathan Evans
This book was my first exposure to any of Tony Evans writing and you can find my full review here.
The Christmas Table
by Donna VanLiere
It's 1972 and John Creighton has committed to building his wife a table before Christmas. But when Joan is diagnosed with cancer, the table project becomes an obsession... a promise John is determined to finish in time.
Fast forward to 2012 when Lauren Mabrey finds herself pregnant and nesting. With a tight budget, she purchases a small kitchen table and discovers it has a secret drawer... one filled with handwritten recipe cards.
As Lauren and Joan's stories intertwine, we're taken on a journey of family, love, and faith. It's a sweet Christmas read perfect for this time of year. Parts of The Christmas Table read slow as the author focuses on the deep, rich faith of her characters. It's not an action packed book, but one that is felt deeply and perfect for this time of year.
Christmas Bells of Creekside
by Ciara Knight
This was my first exposure to this author and you can find my full review here.
Family Read Alouds
The Adventure of Huckleberry Finn
by Mark Twain
Really what can you say about this book that hasn't already been said? Mark Twain is a master writer and I was excited to share this one with the kids. Between Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer, Huck Finn is my favorite. We used this book as part of a six week literature study in our homeschool, and while we all enjoyed it, there was a lot of our study that was over my 5th grader's head. But for 8th grade and up, I would love to pair Huck Finn with a future American history study.
The Family Under the Bridge
by Natalie Savage Carlson
For whatever reason, I've come back to this book the last couple of winters. It's a short novel about an elderly Parisian gentleman who accidentally befriends a group of young homeless children. While he tries to keep his distance, Armand inevitably finds his heart connected to these children, eventually helping them... and himself... find a home.
Peter Nimble and His Fantastic Eyes
by Jonathan Auxier
Ten year old Peter Nimble has only ever known the thief life. Abandoned as a baby, Peter has had to steal for everything he's ever had in life. When he's gifted with three sets of magical eyes, Peter goes on an epic adventure to discover his true identity.
2021-22 Read Aloud List:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5AXS5J4AcY&t=467sFall Reading List:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cA4z3XcncZo&t=10sContact us for business inquiries, reviews and collaborations: BethAnn_97@hotmail.comC O N N E C Tsubscribe at http://www.youtube.com/creative2xmomread at http://www.creative2xmom.blogspot.comlike me on http://www.facebook.com/creative2xmomfollow me on https://www.instagram.com/creative2xmom/https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/52903?ref=nav_mybooksMusic Attribution:Life of Riley by Kevin MacLeodFTC Disclosure: This video is not sponsored.*This video is not intended for audiences under 13 years.
*This post was originally published on 12/11/17. Enjoy!
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I'm sharing with you today how we do a book advent through the month of December and our Top 5 Christian Christmas Books that we return to year after year. Do you have a favorite?
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Sometimes friendship flourishes under the most unusual and tragic circumstances. This is exactly what happens in the story of Bruno and Frida. Caught in war torn Germany during World War II, Bruno befriends Frida, a Russian bomber-dog. Together they set out on a journey to escape the country and in the process, save each other.
This was a nicely written piece of historical fiction, presented at a lower reading level with a higher interest level. Bruno and Frida takes a honest look at the horrors of World War II, sometimes outside the realms of an age appropriate manner (the mother was brutally killed early on). Despite some of the more graphic scenes, I quite enjoyed this book until we hit the final chapter. The author attempts to correlate Nazi Germany with some refugee situations today. There's also mention of survivor guilt and how to "pay back" as way of restoration. It was all a bit heavy handed and felt contrived in today's world. The title would have received a more resounding approval had it stuck to the subject at hand.
*Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
The third in a series of best selling kids' devotionals, The Wonder of Creation picks up the theme of tying God into scientific concepts. Categorized by earth, space, animals, and more, this title shares even further about how uniquely and wonderfully made our world is. Each devotion contains an Old or New Testament scripture, a brief description of the scientific principle, what this shows us about God and ourselves, a short prayer, and an additional scientific insert entitled "Explore the Wonder." The illustrations are fun and engaging, and the information is just enough to encourage further investigation without being overwhelming. The Wonder of Creation has been a beautiful addition to our homeschool routine and we're really enjoying this one. Great for elementary age learners.
*Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
Tuesday was busy around here as most Tuesdays are. Those are good crockpot nights. So this week, we made a post of lasagna soup, swapping out the lasagna noodles for bowtie. This is definitely a crowd favorite and one that doesn't really provide any leftovers. Which is a total bummer when you're a homeschool family looking for a quick lunch. But everyone was happy and full, and somewhat nourished by a hardy bowl of soup.
What I'm Reading:
I'm reading The Beginning by Beverly Lewis. I think this is her newest title. Although still in the genre of Amish fiction, I'm finding this one to be less predictable than her prior work. And I'm enjoying them very much. I'm about two thirds of the way through and I'm still left with lots of questions. It's proving to be a good read in an otherwise hectic month.
What I'm Doing:
December is always busy around here. Holiday planning is in full swing, and I'm doing my best to sit in it and enjoy. We did a little baking this week, a little crafting, some planning for upcoming events. And I've been thoroughly busy trying to get all this Christmas cards addressed.
Simply Christmas is a collection of thirty-one short devotionals designed to bring our focus back to the Lord in a busy, hectic season. Each day's reading is concise and impactful (only requiring a few minutes), coupled with beautiful photographs and fun ideas for adding more meaning to your holiday traditions.
This devotional is very much about simplifying. If your holiday season has become hectic, this book is all about reclaiming the habit of short, quick devotional reading and re-centering on the meaning of Christmas. The readings aren't very deep. Rather Simply Christmas is meant for quick reflection. It was a cute book and would make a nice devotional for new Christians or young moms.
*Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
*This post was originally published on 12/16/13. Enjoy!
I love poinsettias. They're so festive and cheery. I think there's something perfectly Christmas-y about poinsettias. So while I was thinking about creating something for my mom and grandma, I really wanted to include this holiday treat. And that's how I came up with these Felt Poinsettia Pins
You'll need:
Red or white felt
Hot glue and gun
Scissors
Buttons
Glitter, optional
1. Cut a paper petal template in two sizes of your choice. One for the first layer, and a smaller petal for the top layer.
2. Cut 6 petals of the larger size and 6 petals of the smaller size.
3. Start arranging your bottom petals, overlapping and gluing as you go.
4. Glue your top, smaller petals on top, overlapping as you go.
5. Adhere a decorative button in the center.
6. Add the pin back to the reverse.
7. Finally add glitter glue of your choice to add a little sparkle.
And there you have it... a pretty gift for someone special this holiday season. Enjoy!
Thanksgiving is a wonderful holiday to focus on family, friends, and blessing. It's the quiet holiday just before Christmas. No presents, no huge holiday displays... just a thankful heart to give and receive. And dare I say, it's one of the most important holidays on the calendar.
But for a kid, Thanksgiving can be quite lack luster. No wrapping paper to throw off, no holiday music, cold weather and football. How can we better include them in this important celebration?
Here are just a few ideas:
1. Create a Thankful tree-- Find a pretty vase and have the kids gather some sticks and rocks and start the tree. Then add tags or colorful construction paper leaves. Have the kids write down something they're thankful for, then interview others and include theirs as well. See how many things you can find the be thankful for.
2. Have them set the table-- Thanksgiving is filled with pretty plates, cloth napkins, and shiny silverware. It fun to set the table all fancy with vases and runners. And it's a great time to learn about proper place settings and etiquette. You might be surprised which of your kids gets the decorating bug.
3. Include them in creating a snack platter-- Appetizer and snack platters are fun to create with little hands. Have them slice olives and fruit, arrange pickles, create a vegetable turkey, or mix up the dip.
4. Or a special desert-- We're making pretzel turkeys this year, but why not decorate cupcakes to go with the pie? Or stir up a fruit dip? My kids love helping run the mixer or learn to make homemade whipped cream. Kids love being in the kitchen and since most deserts can be made ahead of time, including them in making desert avoids a time crunch.
5. Read a Thanksgiving book together-- Snuggling up with a good book together is always a great way to spend an afternoon. Some of our favorites include: The Bernstein Bears Give Thanks, Turkey Surprise, The Thanksgiving Story, The Very First Thanksgiving Day, and This First Thanksgiving Day.
6. Or watch a special Thanksgiving video-- We love watching Walton's movies on Thanksgiving. Or why not pop in old family movies and walk down memory lane. Or create your own family movie on Thanksgiving. Interview other members of the family. What are they thankful for? What do they remember about Thanksgivings past?
7. Create Thanksgiving crafts-- Create a fingerprint fall tree with the kid's fingerprints. Make a paper bag thankful book with a turkey on the cover. Play Thanksgiving Bingo. There are so many turkey crafts out there. Go browse through Pinterest. :-)
How are you including your kids in Thanksgiving this year?
Divided into seven categories of creatures, the Wild World Handbook is packed full of information for learners of all ages. Each section contains biographies of individuals influential in that field, DIY activities, field trip ideas, action points for making a difference, and more! And there are facts and information to keep kids learning for a long, long time.
This handbook is broken up in a way that makes sense and keeps the reader engaged. Flowing from facts to biographies to action points, it kept me wanting to search out more and keep learning. The activities were do-able and the information was interesting without being overwhelming. I learned so much reading through this one and I know my kids will love it as well. This would make a nice addition to any homeschool or a wonderful gift for animal lovers.
*Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
*This post was originally published on 11/21/12. Enjoy! I certainly do!
Thank You, Pinterest! I have found the yummiest Pumpkin Ice Cream. And I can make it in my own home. Dangerous, I know. And to celebrate, I want to share this yummy recipe with all of you so you can enjoy this seasonal treat with me. So if you're looking for a new Thanksgiving dessert or you're like me and just can't imagine saying farewell to Pumpkin Ice Cream till next fall, keep reading!
Pumpkin Cheesecake Ice Cream (from I Wash You Dry) 1 c. Pumpkin 1 c. Sour Cream 8 oz Cream Cheese 2/3 c. Sugar 3 tsp Pumpkin Pie Spice 1/2 c. Cream
Blend all ingredients together until smooth.
Put in ice cream maker and freeze according to manufacturer's directions.
Serve immediately as soft serve or put in freezer to set.
Serve with crushed graham cracker or dusted with cinnamon/sugar mix.
I love setting this ice cream in the freezer and dusting it with cinnamon/sugar mixture. The cinnamon/sugar just gives it a slight crunch and it's so yummy! Hope you all enjoy this recipe as much as I do. If not, just send your leftovers my way. :-)
We are definitely feeling the changing of the seasons with our meal plan this week. Our crockpot has been working overtime. My favorite this week was a homemade minestrone with tortellini. We all loved it and it was on the night that really rained. Perfect comfort food!
What I'm Reading:
This week I read The Christmas Table. Yes, I know... we haven't even had Thanksgiving yet. But I needed a fun seasonal read. I'd never read this one before and I have to say the storyline was unlike anything I've read before. Quick read, but very good.
What I'm Doing:
We were out of town last weekend for my daughter's first dance convention. That was an interesting first experience, but she loved it! She got to learn from a variety of talented teachers and try some styles of dance that she doesn't always dance in. While she was in class, my husband and I had some time together... exploring and reconnecting. We were also able to see some old college friends and that was quite a treat.
Noel and her young son, Micha, are working to rebuild their lives in a small town. After a medical diagnosis and an abusive marriage, Noel is determined to keep her and Micha safe, but it's quite a struggle. When Noel's nanny quits, she's stuck in the tough situation of being a single parent and trying to keep a steady job. Plus her ex-husband has made false accusations in the past, leaving her scared to reach out for help.
Keith also finds himself at a crossroads. Coming home to a past he'd rather forget, he soon learns that the job he once had is no longer an option and mending family relationships may be his only chance. But with a pushy mother and an even pusher ex-girlfriend, Keith isn't so sure how long he'll last in this small town.
Christmas Bells at Creekside was my first introduction to this author. Ciara Knight has a way of writing very believable characters. Both the life challenges and inner struggles of Noel and Keith were relatable and genuine, and I couldn't help, but hope for the best in their storylines. The author didn't shy away from or minimize their challenges, but did a good job of balancing the reality of their situations without making the book too depressing. The story was somewhat predicable, but far from cheesy. And it made for an interesting holiday read. My only note on this book would be that I wouldn't put it in the Christian category. Perhaps it was placed there because of how clean it is, but it doesn't touch on any elements of religion or Christianity. Still it was a very clean, enjoyable holiday read.
*Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
*This post was originally shared on 9/14/18. Enjoy!
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This muffin recipe is a favorite in our house and we can't wait to bake more of them in the coming season! Rich, warm, flavorful... perfect for all. Which do you prefer in the fall, pumpkin or apple?
Join The Creative2xmom Family on their journey of being a family of 5! 💑16yrs led to 👱12 yrs, 👧10 yrs, and 👱 7 yrs.
Contact us for business inquiries, reviews and collaborations: BethAnn_97@hotmail.com
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Music Attribution:
Summer Smile by Silent Partner
A few favorites:
Secret Channel Book Swap Unboxing:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HyPNMWsNZ04
Back to Homeschool Supply Haul 2018:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3n8v5nCpLk
They Cancelled Our Flight to Hawaii:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mi_9TOtAy6c
Our First Day of School 2018:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZGErJBl4vnI
The weather has really turned the past couple of weeks. So our menu has been filled with soups: tomato, taco, stuffed pepper, ... all the favorites. This change of seasons has definitely been tasty.
What I'm Reading:
I just finished a couple of my personal reads this week so the primary book I'm reading is our family read aloud. Right now we're in the middle of Peter Nimble and the jury is still out on how we feel about it. I'd be curious to know if you've read this one.
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