August 2014
  

August 2014 Sharing Time - Week 5

Welcome to August's Sharing Time Linky!

This week I posted about my memories of the CNE and how we'll be there today, helping them to set a Guinness World Record! (follow about it on twitter with #kindersmiles ).


I also shared a book review for a new children's book called Girls Who Choose God.


We only have a couple of days left of summer and we've now had the chance to see the girls' class lists... hoping for the best this school year! I hope everyone's having a great Labour Day weekend!

For now, on to the link party- I can't wait to see what you share! :)



Please join the Raising Memories Sharing Time & add a link to your latest and greatest blog posts
about activities to do with your children or fun projects that you have done!
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Girls Who Choose God

A new children's book called Girls Who Choose God has been published by Deseret Book. The book is written by Krishna McArthur and Bethany Brady Spalding with artwork by Kathleen Peterson.

I was excited to get a chance to review it because I like the angle they've taken. There is a lot recorded about men in the scriptures, so I think it is good for girls and boys alike to hear about the women's stories that are recorded.


The book includes 11 different stories from the scriptures and follows a pattern.  Each story spans two pages.

The first page summarizes the story in a paragraph and then points out the choice that the woman (or women) had to make.  Here is the first page of Mary Magdalene's story:



The second page consists of another paragraph explaining the choice that the woman (or women) made and how their story ends.  Then there is a question asked of the child reading the story that allows him/her to apply the story to themselves and ask themselves how they may be making similar good choices.  For example, "When have you chosen to be a leader?"  or "When have you made a choice to stand up for others?" or "When have you chosen to solve a problem peacefully?"

After sharing all of the stories, there is a page at the end that focuses on the choices that we make in our lives and how we can follow the examples of these women and make courageous choices.


I think it's a great book and my girls like hearing the stories. I like helping them to see that they can be brave and strong like the girls in the stories. I definitely recommend this one!

The authors' proceeds are being donated to Interweave Solutions to support educational and employment opportunities for LDS young women around the world..

Disclosure: I was provided a copy of the book for review purposes. All opinions shared are my own.

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Memories of the CNE & a Guinness World Record Attempt with Kinder Surprise on Saturday! #kindersmiles

When I was a kid we used to go to the CNE (Canadian National Exhibition) every year as a family. We would be there when it opened and stay until it closed. I have lots of fun summer memories from spending the day there.

For this post I asked my mom to dig up a few "vintage" photos from her albums and scan them for me :) Below are my dad, myself, and my younger sister Hilary.


I loved days like this when my dad didn't have to work and our whole family was together, having fun!


To this day, I cannot forget "the balls"! I LOVED them! My mom tells me how sad it was the year that I was considered too old to go in the ball pit and how disappointed I was.


In the photos below, I am 2 years old in the left photo and 11 years old in the right one.


I know that in those days Ontario Place was open and was a big part of our visits but right now it's closed while they do some updates (I hope we get to go and see it when it's finished!)  I am excited to go back to the "Ex" this year (I haven't been since I was a teenager) and share some of the fun with my girls!

If you're planning to attend the CNE this weekend, I have some exciting news for you! Kinder Canada is going to be there with their fun interactive photo and video KINDER® Smile Booth and play area in the Kid’s World to capture moments of joy between parents and kids...


...but that's not all! In celebration of Kinder's 40th anniversary, they're also inviting everyone who can be there to join them for an attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the most people unwrapping chocolate at the same time!


When: Saturday, August 30th
Where: Canadian National Exhibition at Bandshell Park, 210 Princes’ Blvd, Toronto
Timeline:
• 10:20 a.m. – arrive at Bandshell Park near the Kid’s World at the CNE
• 10:40 a.m. – everyone gets a KINDER® egg!
• 11:00 a.m. – official Guinness World Record attempt

We are excited to be going and to be a part of the record breaking attempt- how fun! Maybe we'll see you there :)
If you're there or if you want to hear more about it, you can follow along on Instagram and Twitter using the hashtag #kindersmiles


Disclosure: I am a #KinderMom. As part of my affiliation with this group I receive products and special access to events and opportunities. The opinions on this blog are my own.

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August 2014 Sharing Time - Week 4

Welcome to August's Sharing Time Linky!

This week I posted about our trip to a farm and Talia & Katrina's first real horseback rides.


I can't believe we're only a bit more than a week away from school!! I will sure miss having these munchkins around so much! Hopefully I can be very productive while they're away so that we can thoroughly enjoy the hours in the day that they are home! Until School, we've got one more week of fun ahead of us.. hopefully we can squeeze lots of good times into it!

For now, on to the link party- I can't wait to see what you share! :)



Please join the Raising Memories Sharing Time & add a link to your latest and greatest blog posts
about activities to do with your children or fun projects that you have done!
 ---------------------------------------
If you're participating, please share the button on your blog & "hop over" to at least one other blog post that's been linked up- let's support each other!









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A Trip to the Farm and a Dream Come True!

Two years ago we went to visit a friend's farm. (I blogged about it here) We were able to go back a second time that year when my sister and her girls visited. Sadly we missed going last year and this year a trip to the farm was right at the top of the girls' summer bucket list, so I'm very happy that we made it happen last week!

We arrived, drove up their long driveway and rounded the corner to a beautiful view that made me feel like I was on vacation because it was so relaxing!


Soon the girls were having the time of their lives, jumping on the trampoline.  Talia exclaimed, "It's been YEARS since I've been on a trampoline!" :)


Next we visited the goats, donkeys, and miniature horses.  One of their goats has become quite famous after an incident they caught on camera inside of their house!


After our last visit, we knew that there was a rule that you should be 8 years old in order to ride a horse (Talia heard that and never forgot it).  So Katrina was surprised and excited when she found out she could ride this miniature horse (at age 5!).


A small girl on a small horse ;)


After the little horse ride, the girls spent some more time with the miniature horses, donkeys and goats. They brushed their hair and fed them grass and thoroughly enjoyed them. I was amazed by how comfortable they were around the animals!


Then they each got to take one of the miniature horses for a "walk" and they had so much fun!  It was the craziest thing to see the girls so comfortable with the horses and the horses so content to be with the girls.. it was like watching a child walk a dog, except they were horses!  So cool and what a beautiful place.. I couldn't stop smiling while watching them!


I was especially surprised to see shy little Katrina (who was so nervous about that elephant ride at the circus) so confident with that little horse!


After playing for quite a while with the horses, the girls gave them some water and in the photo below, Katrina's giving one a mint.  Then we went inside to have a drink, rest, and the girls had fun playing with the cats.


I cannot blog this event without telling you that Talia's dream came true on this day!  She has been talking about riding a horse when she's 8 for a good two years and it was as if she practised in her dreams because she was so ready for this moment!


Later we visited with the cows and the girls fed them tons of hay. :)



What a wonderful day filled with special memories!


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