Rockin' Thru History

At our recent Homeschool Group meeting we had the pleasure of meeting and listening to the teacher, musician, songwriter and homeschooling dad: Damien Drago! We were treated to a live performance of his Rockin' Thru History songs.

picture credit: Rockin Thru History

His current songs are all inspired by The Revolutionary War. The songs start off with Powder Your Wig (just the name makes me giggle) and the last song is Five Fantastic Fabulous Founding Fathers. Each song is fun and educational.

The reason he created each of these special songs was to teach kids about History in a interesting way!

He has a great website called Rockin Thru History. On his website you can listen and purchase his songs. There are lyrics for his songs, resources and even more material you will find very helpful.

At our live performance we were treated to some of his new songs, which he is currently working on. These new songs are inspired by the Civil War. So be on the lookout for even more fun and  make sure you take some time to check Damien Drago out at www.rockinthruhistory.com.

This post is linked up to:

found at Hip Homeschool Moms.

Smiles

Summer Memories!

I didn't get a lot of time to blog this Summer, so I am catching up now! I wanted to share some of the fun we had this summer with you.

The girls had an awesome time at Vacation Bible School at the beginning of the Summer.

They did a lot of swimming.

We went to a baseball game with our friends and Pie Pie got a foul ball!

We finally got to go on a family vacation to the beach.
This is Pants's first visit to the ocean!

We had a lot of fun relaxing and enjoying our break from school!
We hope you had a fun Summer too!
Smiles,
Nikki!



Guest Post and Bear Haven Boutique Giveaway! -Giveaway is now Over-

Welcome to another fun guest post in our countdown to the 200th post! I would like to introduce you to a friend of mine who owns a very fun boutique with all kinds of unique toys and gifts! She is also a very creative party planner. Let's all give a warm welcome to Lesa!

 

 

My name is Lesa. I own Bear Haven Boutique and am the author of the blog Bear Haven Mama's Tales.



My business started six years ago when I was looking for something to do to make a little extra money and stay home with the children. I love children, so the idea of helping parents plan birthday parties as well as providing the entertainment for kids sounded like a good fit!

 

Over the years, I have learned what works and what doesn’t for me as well as my customers. I have recently added a full line of toys and other gifts to my website. I also carry party kits, invitations, and stuffable animals for parties and gifts. My philosophy for my products is to provide my customers quality products as well as party favors that will not only be budget friendly but also will not end up in a landfill when the party is over.

 

My website provides my customers an easy way to shop and comes complete with a gift registry and wish list to make gift buying and party planning easier. In addition, there is a section on my blog that provides detailed party plans for popular children’s party themes.



If you are looking for custom party planning, I do that as well. I provide in-person service to Eastern Pennsylvania, and I provide custom party kits to the rest of the US and Canada. For more information, please visit my website Bear Haven Boutique or email me at mybearhaven@gmail.com.

My friend would also like to giveaway a $25.00 gift certificate to shop at her boutique!
All you have to do is visit her boutique and leave a comment on this post about what you would like to spend the gift certificate on if you win. You must also leave your email so I can let you know when you win!
I know my girls would love any of the stuffed animals and I love any product by Melissa and Doug! This givaway will start now, July 24th, and end on Monday August 5th. 

I'm a Smiley Star!

I have recently noticed that many people hesitate to take a compliment. I would like to change that in my own way. I would like to start something new on my blog called Smiley Star!. I want all of my friends and family to think about something you have done that makes you a Smiley Star!. It can be pretty much anything that someone would compliment you for doing.

I am going to kick this idea off by sharing my Smiley Star!. About a week ago, in an effort to be named Best Mom Ever by my daughter Pie Pie, we had her best friend stay over for a week! I am definitely tooting my own horn here and asking for a round of applause! We love Pie Pie's friend, she is a pleasure to have around! When you are used to your own two girls and add another girl to the mix it can get interesting. We had a lot of fun!

 

The girls played games,

 

 

went swimming,

 

 

made creatures with Sculpy clay,

 

 

got a visit from the yarn monster,

 

 

learned a little about music,

 

 

went to Pants' dress rehearsal,

 

 

and even got a visit from Santa!

 

 

Well there you have it, my week with three girls!

I would love if you would share you your Smiley Star! stories with me.

You can email me at boobooprincesses@yahoo.com or find me on Facebook.

 

We are counting down to our 200th post!

This is post 197!

Giveaways coming soon!



Guest Blogger: Katie Moore

 Come celebrate with us!
We are counting down to our 200th post.
This is post 196!

We will have guest posts and giveaways! Tell your friends, they will not want to miss out on the fun!

I am kicking off the celebration with a guest post from a new friend, her name is Katie Moore. She is a fellow Mommy who likes to blog.

 Let's give Katie a BIG Boo Boo Princess welcome!

 

Natural Living during Pregnancy and Motherhood

When I learned that I was finally expecting my first child, my excitement was almost overwhelming. I couldn’t wait to be a mom! The other overwhelming change can be all of the new health information that you become aware of as you realize that everything you do affects this little baby growing in you. To give my baby the best start to her life, I wanted to take health, wellness and natural living to a whole new level.

Even though I'd always been a healthy eater and had abstained from smoking, excessive drinking and other risky behaviors, I knew my lifestyle had serious room for improvement. My diet was my first concern. Although I'd always loaded up on fruits, veggies, whole grains, and other nutritious foods, I knew that I had to be extra cautious while I was carrying a baby. Per my OB/GYN's instructions, I began taking a daily prenatal vitamin and filling my diet with foods high in folic acid, calcium, iron and other essential nutrients. Combined, these vitamins and minerals can prevent birth defects, build healthy bones and lead to all-around healthy growth for a developing fetus. They also provided benefits for me, as well, including increased immunity and energy and the prevention of bone loss.

To keep my blood glucose in check, I cut out processed sugar and harmful high fructose corn syrup. I traded my daily soda for freshly-squeezed juice or water with fruit, and I calmed my pregnancy sweet tooth with high-fiber breakfast cereals and naturally-sweet apples and berries. Also, in order to prevent high blood pressure, which is increasingly common among pregnant women, I cut out salt and processed foods that are high in sodium. To my surprise, I felt absolutely wonderful. I'd always heard horror stories about the first trimester of pregnancy, but I felt strong and energetic, yet calm and content.

A big part of living naturally involves the products we use every day. As a mother-to-be, I was concerned about all the chemicals in products like cosmetics and household cleaners, so I started researching natural cleaning products and beauty products. I began cleaning my house with products made from ingredients like lemon juice, vinegar, baking soda and sea salt, which provided the cleaning power without the risks of harmful chemicals. I felt much better knowing I was avoiding dangerous side effects to my baby and myself, and my house had never been cleaner!

At first, I was skeptical when it came to natural cosmetics. Looking good has always been important to me, and I was uneasy about giving up my makeup, hair dye and other beauty tools. However, I found that all-natural, organic cosmetics were available, and that they worked just as well as my old products for around the same price. These products were also soothing to my skin. They didn't cause breakouts and irritation like my old cosmetics, no matter how often I used them or how long I left them on my skin. The makeup impressed me so much that I decided to switch to all-natural deodorant, shampoo, conditioner and body wash as well. Again, they worked just as well without any of the potentially-harmful ingredients.

There are so many options and choices to make during pregnancy to prepare for motherhood. I always turned to my doctor for the best information—everything from cloth diapers to cord blood banking was discussed—and felt as prepared and energetic as I could ever be for delivery. After my baby was born, I continued my all-natural lifestyle. Now that I have a toddler, I'm more cautious than ever about what's lying around the house. However, I know I'm doing all I can to protect my health and my baby's. Living a natural life gives me the peace of mind every mother deserves, and I plan on doing it for the rest of my life.

To learn more information about the products Katie uses, stop by  Moore from Katie!

Katie Moore has written and submitted this article. Katie is an active blogger who discusses the topics of, motherhood, children, fitness, health and all other things Mommy. She enjoys writing, blogging, and meeting new people! To connect with Katie contact her via her blog, Moore From Katie or her twitter, @moorekm26

If you or someone you know would like to participate in the celebration, either with a giveaway or a post, just let me know! 

My email is boobooprincesses@yahoo.com.

Smiles

If you need a smile today look no farther than this post! I personally need to be reminded daily of all the good things I have in my life.

 

Pants is so excited that she earns her own money! She had to have me take a picture of her, with her money made into a smiley face!

 

 

We had a Valentine's Day party last week. I set up a little photo area for fun pictures! I actually took pictures of my girls the night before the party. It was pajama night at AWANA!

 

 

I got one of them the day of the party too! I just love them in their pajamas though.

 

 

Pants's newest pose!

 

 

I hope your Valentine's Day was extra sweet and smiley!

 

Smiles,

Nikki!

 



Devour a Tween Book!

I decided to do a rewrite on this post. I was a bit too quick with the first one and decided that this angle would be a bit more fun!

For Breakfast might I recommend a good helping of Katie Kazoo by Nancy Krulik. These books are a fabulous way to start your day! Every book gives you a chance to see life through another person's view. In the first book of the series Katie wishes she could be anyone but herself. She gets her wish and, as the series continues with the help of the magic wind she transforms into a colorful mix of other people. 

  Instead of a cup of coffee or tea I suggest you pour yourself a cup of The Magic Tree House by Mary Pope Osborne. The adventures you find inside will give you a wonderful pick-me-up! Jack and Annie travel to many different places in search of exotic items. You will find yourself rescuing Pandas in China or riding on the back of a Unicorn to name just a few!

 

For Lunch you might want to take a bite out of The Kingdom Keepers by Ridley Pearson. These stories are all about Behind-the-Scenes Disney. Five kids along with some other helpers are chosen to guard the Disney Kingdom from the Overtakers. The Overtakers are Disney Villains who basically want to take over the World. The Kingdom Keepers job is to keep the magical balance between good and evil.

For Dinner I offer you a mouth watering Trilogy called The Wednesday Tales by Jon Berkeley. This is a story of a boy named Miles who befriends a Song Angel named Little. In the first book the two friends work together to rescue Little's friend Silverpoint. In the second book they are trying to find a Tiger Egg. In the third book they have to figure out how to use the Tiger Egg to save Miles's Dad. You will definitely want all three helping of this satisfying tale!

 

 If you have a sweet tooth a great Dessert is The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick. This dessert may look too big, but it is a light and tasty treat! There are 284 illustrations in this book and the pictures are essential to the story. This book is all about a boy who makes a fabulous discovery and finds himself a new family in the unfolding of his adventures. 

Any of these books would also make a great read-a-loud. I love sharing in the fun as my girls discover delicious new books to read!

Please feel free to share any books your tween likes to read!



The Peanut Butter Blossom Cookie

This past Christmas I asked my super-great friend Pammy what kind of cookies I could bake special for her. Cookies=Love! She picked the peanut butter blossom cookie. She actually said anything chocolate, but this was the first name of a cookie out of her mouth. (Later into her mouth!)

 

This cookie brought back many memories for me. I haven't made them in quite a while. They were my ultimate favorite growing up! My Mom made them and I ate them. First, I would bite off the point of the Kiss. Second, I would nibble the cookie part that extended around the Kiss. Last I would pop the rest into my mouth in one BIG bite. Yummy! I still eat them that way too.

 



 

This year Pie Pie got to help with the cookies. She got to unwrap the Kisses, (and eat some) roll the dough into balls and into the sugar. When the come out of the oven it's time to put in the Kiss. I love putting the Kisses into the warm cookie and making them melt a little, but not too much. 

 

Pants, Pie Pie, Daddy and me loved eating theses special treats.

Thanks to Pam for the suggestion to make them! 

12/12/12~Pie Pie's Ninth Birthday!

Pie Pie has been nine for over a month now! I just haven't had the time to post all about her special day! She really is growing up, I was just thinking yesterday how nice it is to have conversations with her. She is also reading the first Harry Potter book so that is also fun to talk about.

 

 

 

For her cake she chose her very first animal on Animal Jam. Animal Jam is her very favorite thing to do in the whole wide world! This is a game you can play on the Internet that is all about animals. What's not to love!?

 

 

 

She got many very awesome presents including some Wii games, which she loves almost as much as Animal Jam.

She had a friend sleep-over at the beginning of January, where there was hardly any sleeping, but there was a lot of fun! We had ice cream sundaes and the girls took turns playing Wii.

 

 

My Pie Pie and me on her birthday!

 

She is maturing so fast,

but I am enjoying each and every day of getting to know her even better!

From Grumpy Pants to Happy Sheep

Originally, just Pants was supposed to be in the Christmas play at our church, but in the end Pie Pie and I joined in too.The play was called Shepherds, Sheep and a Savior. It was a cute play with funky songs.

 

 

  The practices were pretty hard on Pants and she made it tough for us to get her to participate. The day before the actual performance, I couldn't get her to do much of anything! When the day of the performance arrived, she transformed into the best sheep ever!

 

 

She did everything she was supposed to do in the play with a great big smile on her face.

 

 

Pie Pie did an excellent job as a traveler. This is the role I played as well. We had to pretend the sheep were smelly and ignore the shepherds. My friend said we did such a good job (along with other travelers) that she could actually smell the stink! We even got a chance to go up on the stage at the end and help the rest of the cast sing.

 

There I am in the brown with the blue sash!

 

 

 

 

All of the other kids did great! I'm very happy that my kids could be a part of such a great program. This play reminded me that Jesus came for all of us even people that we might not view as important.

Luke 2:8-16

New International Version (NIV)

⁸ And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. ⁹ An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. ¹⁰ But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. ¹¹ Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. ¹² This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

¹³ Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

¹⁴ “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

¹⁵ When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

¹⁶ So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.