Colorful Reading Fun...

Jonah has a new favorite book that we found at the libary. Colors Everywhere, by Tana Hoban, is a book chock-full of colorful pictures. It contains no words, making it perfect for discussion with your little one. This book has totally captivated Jonah! Each page has a picture of an object or scene, with a sidebar of rectangular color blocks of colors found in that picture. For example, one page contains a jar of brightly colored jelly beans, another a picture of a mother and child walking in the rain, and yet another, a dog begging for a treat. Each picture is set on a black background, making the colors pop out even more!

Try it out next time you're at the libary! Or try another of Hoban's books...she's a great author for the toddler/preschool age.

Baby Bites...Guacamole Wrap

Take one whole wheat tortilla
Mash 1/2 an avacado and spread on tortilla
Top w/ finely chopped onion, shredded carrots (or chopped tomatoes)
Drizzle w/ fresh lime juice

You can also sprinkle on cilantro or cheese.

Roll up and enjoy!

Dirty Clothes on a Priest?

The Priest with Dirty Clothes by R.C.Sproul is a fabulously written allegory illustrating the truth of justification. Although it is written to illustrate a theological truth to children, it is also highly profitable for adults as well, and such a great conversation-starter for parents to use with their children! I absolutely enjoyed reading it, and am excited to read the rest in this series by R.C. Sproul.

This story is written from the perspective of a grandfather telling his grandkids a tale. I love though how the first page in the book is a quote from Zechariah, a vision of the High Priest. This tale begins with a young man Jonathan, just ordained to the priesthood, and on his way to preach his first sermon at the castle of the King! On the way to the castle his clothes are ruined, and he realizes he cannot stand in front of the king in soiled clothing! He is even accused in the court by Malus, a wicked magician. The rest of the story follows Jonathan as he tries to clean his clothes, but to no avail…they are permanent stains. Read the book to find out what wonderful thing the prince does to help Jonathan gain entrance into the court and receive acceptance from the King.

What I love about this allegory is that it is very simple to make connections between Jonathan and ourselves as sinners, between the prince and Jesus Christ, Malus and the devil, etc. Theological truths are clearly stated, such as the following: “Jonathan,’ the prince said, ‘you are like the branch you pulled from the fire. You are covered with black dirt. But the dirt is not just on your clothes. It is on your heart. Sin, the wrong things that you do, makes your heart dirty. No soap can make it clean.’” The truths of justification are not only illustrated in the allegory, but also summarized by the grandfather telling the tale, and also extended upon in “for the parents” section R.C. Sproul has at the end of the book containing explanations, Scripture, questions, and points to ponder.

The illustrations are bright and cheery, as if from a fairy tale book, yet will keep children focused on the plot of the story, and the emotions expressed in the characters.

I can’t do this book justice by a short review…go ahead and purchase one for yourself and your children! It is available at www.ligonier.org/store or www.amazon.com.

I am receiving a copy of The Priest with Dirty Clothes for free, from Reformation Trust/Ligonier Ministries, as compensation for my review.

Sweet Psalm 23 story with theological depth...

Sammy and His Shepherd is a delightful children’s story illustrating the truths of Psalm 23. Outlined in sections by the phrases of Psalm 23, this book is a story of “Sammy” the sheep, owned and cared for by a loving Shepherd, who meets a sad and neglected sheep on the other pasture. Sammy notices the differences in their care, and as he befriends this lost sheep, he teaches her about the loving care he receives. One day, the lost sheep is in danger of losing her life, and Sammy’s Shepherd does something wonderful for her. As the story unfolds, both sheep learn about trust and following the kind Shepherd.

Susan Hunt does a fabulous job weaving in to the story both theological truths as well as facts about sheep—facts that enable children and adults alike to better understand the love and care of a shepherd, and more importantly, the Great Shepherd, Jesus Christ. For example, the story tells of a sheep who falls, with legs flailing helplessly in the air, and how the Shepherd comes to lift her up, rub her legs to restore circulation and help her walk again, thus “restoring” her. (“He restores my soul”). Sammy and His Shepherd illustrates not only of the love and tender care of Christ for His sheep, but also wonderfully pictures the themes of redemption, salvation, brotherly love, and eternity.

I absolutely love how at the end of each section illustrating a phrase of Psalm 23, Susan Hunt includes a “talking point” page or two at the end of the story. These talking points include “what the Bible tells us” (added thoughts and Bible references), “something to talk about” (questions for discussion with your children), and “something to do” (ways to put truth into practice).
The only element I was not crazy about was the color of the illustrations. They were child-friendly and unique, but the limited color scheme (lots of purple and pink tones) seemed more foreboding that comforting. However, I have only seen a PDF version of this book, so it may look different in the actual book. I can't wait to see!

Sammy and His Shepherd gets a five-star rating from me! I would definitely recommend hopping over to amazon.com and purchasing a copy for your child or as a gift! It can be profitable for so many ages and grade levels, and would be a great book to read as a family, too.

*Statement to comply with Federal Trade Commission guidelines: I am receiving a copy of Sammy and His Shepherd for free, from Reformation Trust/Ligonier Ministries, as compensation for my review.

Nothing Sweeter...

...than a tiny, newborn baby!

Clever but irreverent...

I was excited to open another of Dandi Daley Mackall's rhyming books, this one entitled "When God Created My Toes". From head to toe, the book goes through body parts and asks intriguing questions about what it is like when God creates a child. An example is, "When God created my hip, did I hear him say, 'Hip, hip, hooray!'? Did we do a double flip when God created my hip?" The illustrations are soft, fun, and energetic, and pair well with the quizzical nature of the book. And although I can imagine some children asking questions like are asked in the book, I had a bad feeling as I read along, and came to the conclusion that I do not think the book is completely reverent, but rather detracts from God's greatness, awe, and the fact that His thoughts and purposes are much higher than ours. I am glad that the book points to God as the perfect Creator of every part of our being, but we cannot bring God down to a human level. Plus, the illustrations show one instance of a little girl being naughty with her hands, and that is not at all why God created hands! The book does not even speak of the mind, heart, or soul of a child, which is the most important part! I was very disappointed in this book.

*I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.

Baby Bites...Homemade Animal Crackers

I still have a recipe page from an animal cracker-making kit

I got when I was young.

The other night Jonah and I decided to try them.

Here is our health-i-fied version:).

1/2 cup butter, softened

1/4 cup brown sugar

1/3 to 1/2 cup honey

1 egg

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/2 teaspoon lemon extract (don't omit this!)

1 3/4 cups whole wheat flour

1/4 cup flaxseed meal

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

Beat butter, sugar, honey, egg, and extracts together; set aside.

Blend flour and baking powder together, mix into butter mixture.

Refrigerate for one hour wrapped in waxed paper (I didn't do this and it was fine).

Roll to 1/4 inch thickness, and cut with animal cookie cutters.

Place on ungreased baking sheet. Bake for 6 minutes at 350.

Our animal cookie cutters were inaccessible,

so besides the circle and heart that we had,

we made kitties, fish, and triangles.

Yum yum...enjoy!

Just in time for Easter...

As young children, my siblings and I used to listen to the record "Little Tree". My sister and I were happy to find a CD version of it online a couple years back. Jonah and I were listening to it again in the car today, and I thought I should share it with you here.

"The Story of Little Tree" is a fictional story about a young tree whose branch is cut off to make the cross upon which Jesus is nailed. There are several songs mixed into the story and they are very nice. This CD never fails to bring tears to my eyes when I listen to it!

Hop on over to CBD.com to purchase it for only $6.99. I promise you won't be disappointed!

Cute book to prepare for a new sibling!

Are you preparing your child to be a big brother or big sister? If so, I would recommend buying this book from your favorite retailer! God Gave Us Two, yet another in the "God Gave Us" series by Lisa Tawn Bergren, follows little polar bear cub as he peppers his pregnant Mommy with questions about the upcoming arrival. Papa and Mama polar bear reassure their little cub that being a big sister will be great fun, and that a new baby won't change their love for her! "He gave us you. Now he's given us two!" is their frequent refrain to little cub in answer to her worries. I love how this book emphasizes the prayers of parents, as well as the joys of being a big brother or sister! Once again, Laura Bryant illustrates with fun, colorful pictures. Go read this book...there's a surprise ending that I don't want to spoil! *I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.

Sweet and Dreamy...

I recently "discovered" the author John Butler, and Jonah and I simply love his books! The latest one we checked out from the library is called Can You Cuddle Like A Koala? Each of John Butler's children's picture books feature full-page soft & dreamy illustrations of animals accompanied by rhyming sentences that seem to come alive as you read them!

In Can You Cuddle Like a Koala, each page-spread features a different animal (or animal parent and baby), and asks the reader if they can imitate that animal's actions. For example, "Can you stretch like a tiger waking up from a dream?" The sentences are placed on each page in wavy or arched formations, which makes reading the story even more fun.

This book is great for bedtime, or anytime,

and older toddlers will have fun copying the creatures on each page!

He will grow up...

I tried to put aside my "to-do" list and sat down in the rocking chair

with my little boy cuddled in my arms.

We shared some sweet moments as lullabies played.

As his eyelids began to droop, I stroked his baby-soft thighs.

His fat fingers clutched my shirt and he fell asleep.

I could not stop staring at his precious face,

and I choked back tears.

Because this is the easy part.

I know, mothering a young toddler is exhausting and demanding,

but it is simple.

There will come a day when he will have to deal with difficult and painful things,

because we live in a sin-cursed world.

As I thought of pain or trial coming to my boy,

my heart grew heavy.

I cannot pray that God will spare him from pain or difficulty,

for God uses those things to build character and help us to trust Him.

And it may be those things that lead Jonah to trust in Jesus Christ

for forgiveness of his sins.

But I can and will pray that God will be with him,

that God will protect and preserve him from every side,

that He will make Jonah into a strong godly young man,

and that God will help me to be a kind, patient, godly mommy to him.

I cannot hold onto him as a baby forever.

Before I know it he will be playing soccer, having sleepovers, climbing trees,

and then going off to college and getting married!

So how thankful I am that God hears my prayers for my son,

and that I can entrust this little boy to God's care.

Boy Book!

What a cute engaging book, especially for boys! We stumbled upon Truck Stuck at our library time last week, and took it home since Jonah is recently fascinated with the vehicles! Sallie Wolf tells the story of a big truck which gets stuck under a "viaduct" in a little neighborhood off the highway. Children are engaged with the story by mostly 2-3 word catchy phrases that rhyme with each other. It's fun to see how the traffic (workers going to their respective jobs) behind the truck passes the time and emotions are transformed from anger and impatience to smiles and friendship. Great book for teaching about "community helpers".

Baby Bites...Sweet Butternut Squash

Check out this "baby bite" that Jonah loves!

It's great for dipping apple slices in,

or enjoying by the bowlful with lunch or dinner

(great food for babies, kids, and adults alike...so yummy!)

Put in pot:
1 butternut squash, peeled, de-seeded, and cubed
Cover with water and boil 'til very tender; drain.

While still hot, add
2-4 T. butter
generous sprinklings of cinnamon and nutmeg
brown sugar, to your taste
(try evaporated cane juice, coconut sugar, or honey to be real healthy!)

Puree (with a regular or stick blender)

Enjoy!

"Little Star" Christmas tale points to the True Light

Little Star, by Anthony DeStefano, is a fictional Christmas tale about the star which hung over the stable at Jesus' birth. I would really enjoy reading this story to a preschooler or young elementary school child! The story is from the perspective of a Dad telling his son the story of "the Christmas star", a lonely and ignored star. While watching the Christmas story unfold on earth, realization of Jesus' message and identity causes this small star to experience something extraordinary. I love the mix of fictional elements and biblical facts that this story contains, and how the conclusion of Little Star's story is a picture of Jesus giving His life for us. Children can learn from this story the meaning of the star on our Christmas trees! My favorite part of the illustrations are the pictures of Joseph, Mary, and baby Jesus as well as the variety of expressions on the stars faces! I would recommend buying this book for your child! You can find it on amazon.com for a great price!


*I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.

Check it Out...A sweet kitty book!

Sometimes I don't know where to start when checking out library books, because there are SO many choices! My goal is to once in a while on this blog, write a review for a good picture book that we've found!

Today I am happy to bring you Rumble Tum, by Stephanie True Peters. As the front cover suggests, the book is full of soft dreamy illustrations, that give you a warm cozy feeling as you read! Even though I got this book out for a preschooler, I think that's one of the reasons my son Jonah is captivated by the kitty in this book! The illustrator also uses light in a special way in many of the pictures.

Rumble Tum is the story of a little girl, Beth, who adopts a kitty and tells him periodically as a refrain in the story, "I just love, love, LOVE you!". The story follows her as she cares for, trains, and enjoys her new kitten, 'til one day little Rumble Tum goes missing. Check out this book to find out if the little farm girl finds her furry purry friend!

Teach Me While My Heart is Tender...

What is the most important thing we as parents teach our children? To be full of knowledge? To be safe and healthy? Should we focus mostly on having them be “good”…respectful, honest, and kind? Or perhaps train them to be successful in society? While these are all necessary parts of child-rearing, the single most important thing we must teach them is about God and His Word.

“You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up.” Deuteronomy 6:7

That is why, even though Jonah is only 12 months old, he has been learning the very first catechism questions (“Who made you, Jonah? 'GOD!'”), and he is listening to songs like, “My God is so Great”. That is why we are reading the Bible to him and teaching him how to pray. Why it is so critical that we teach him how to obey with a cheerful heart, control his anger, and respect when Daddy and Mommy tell him something. It is why we are teaching him the difference between right and wrong in this wicked world.

Why are we doing this? Is it because this is “our religion”? Is it because our church requires these things? Is it so that we can check the right things off a list of what “good parents” teach their children?

No, it is because we are seeking to train his mind and heart to obey and follow Jesus. We are told in the Bible that every person is born a sinner, deserving eternal punishment. We want to point little Jonah's mind and heart the direction of Christ, the only One who can save his sins and grant him eternal life in heaven!

We as parents are helpless to DO anything to secure our children a place in heaven and save them from their sins. So we must diligently train and teach, and most importantly we must PRAY that God will be pleased to give them repentance and faith to trust in His death on the cross for their sins and cause them to LOVE Him with all their heart! That is why my mom recently told me that she prays daily for my husband and I as we raise Jonah. And it is why my husband and I pray daily for Jonah's never-dying soul.

The most important issue in his life, and in the life of every child, is that they come to know Jesus Christ as their Savior. May God be pleased to answer prayers to that end and give all of us as parents wisdom to teach them the ways and Word of God!

“For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not as a result of works...” Ephesians 2:8

Can I Have a Quiet Minute?

It was the end of a long day.

Toys all over the floor, baby teething, Mama tired.

I needed to go use the bathroom...

Shut the door, and sighed for a moment of quiet solitude.

Then...

Bang bang.

In a split second, there he was,

banging on the door with baby fists,

jabbering for Mama.

And as I put my head in my hands,

I couldn't help but say,
"Thank you, God!"

I waited all my life to be a mommy,

to have a little person who needed me.

And that sweet day has come!

God Gave Us So Much...

God Gave Us So Much is a "limited-edition three book treasury" by Lisa Tawn Bergren. Once again, WaterBrook Press has given us a beautifully bound and illustrated hardcover children's book. The three tales in this treasury, through the eyes of a polar bear family, extol the goodness of God in giving us our world, love, and heaven. In each story there is a good mix of animal science facts, fun elements, as well as biblical truths.

The first book, God Gave Us the World, is definitely my favorite. The polar bears explore their polar bear zoo, and discuss the diversity God has created, and why God has given us our wonderful world. It would be very easy to draw parallels between the story, and human life. In the second book, God Gave Us Love, the polar bear cub and his daddy discuss human and divine love, and how God's love helps US to love even when it's hard. This book seemed a little "surfacey" to me, so it was my least favorite.
I love that the third book, God Gave Us Heaven, helps kids see that heaven will be indescribably better than things on this earth that they love and find comfort from. There is a good bit of the story that touches on biblical concepts, but there are a couple instances that I do not believe are biblically accurate and/or incomplete (related to who goes to heaven, and the gospel message). But if you use the story to help your kids get excited about heaven, and use the Bible to correct the errors/incompleteness, then it is a sweet story.

There is ALOT of dialogue in the stories, and sometimes you can't tell who is talking. I do not like that she used the exclamation "shoot". The wording is simple, fun, and engaging, and yet they throw in vocabulary words like "capable", "faith", and "reunion", which is great! Not only do the stories help children to worship God because of His goodness, but they also teach other godly traits like kindness, selflessness, stewardship, love, and wisdom.

I would recommend the book "God Gave Us the World." You can find the treasury or the individual books on amazon.com. They make great gifts!

*I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review

You Don't Want to Miss This Contest!

http://multnomahemails.com/wbmlt/Emails/dragonanturtle-safari.html


The link above is for a REALLY fun contest corresponding with the Dragon and the Turtle books (My last book review entitled "Dragon and Turtle Friendship" on January 11th).

You don't want to miss this one....the prize is one any child would be thrilled to receive!

A Healthy Bite...for both of us!

In a renewed effort towards greater frugality,

I am trying to do better using up food in the fridge

especially things like

hummus

and

pita bread

that usually go stale or moldy after a while.

SO,

for lunch today Jonah and I had

Cheesy hummus pitas!

Spread a medium-thick layer of hummus (I used TJ's sweet roasted red pepper hummus)

on the inside of a pita, and sprinkle with cheese (cheddar is our favorite!)

Close the pita, and pop into the toaster oven until heated through and a little crisp on the outside.

Remove from toaster, and place baby spinach leaves inside.

Enjoy!