tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-56061852302385841982024-03-13T01:36:06.780-04:00A TIPical DayTips for Everyday LivingMeredithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07510960786007169383noreply@blogger.comBlogger182125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5606185230238584198.post-49752088076002359892014-10-16T14:32:00.001-04:002014-10-16T14:32:14.423-04:00Microwave Pumpkin Spice Carrots<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cyJju9OJMCI/VDcTJMgHD_I/AAAAAAAAE0s/N8YVH85gAdI/s1600/carrots.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Microwave Pumpkin Spice @ATIPicalDay #recipes #pumpkinspice #sides #microwavecooking" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cyJju9OJMCI/VDcTJMgHD_I/AAAAAAAAE0s/N8YVH85gAdI/s1600/carrots.jpg" height="400" title="Microwave Pumpkin Spice @ATIPicalDay #recipes #pumpkinspice #sides #microwavecooking" width="363" /></a></div>
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This past week I wanted a quick side dish to go with our pork and potatoes. Remembering I had a bag of carrots in the fridge I grabbed them and whipped up this kid approved side. They were done in just 5 minutes. Can't beat that! The picture isn't the best, but you have to try these! They are awesome!</div>
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Some carrots, coconut oil, honey, pumpkin spice and 5 minutes is all you really need to make this tasty side.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Microwave Pumpkin Spice Carrots</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1NPXnxzv_7yC9if4e1m9-U-gpF1mGmhvE-4nRp-J8A4U/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank">Print this Recipe</a></div>
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1 lb. bag carrots chopped into 1 inch pieces</div>
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1 tablespoon coconut oil</div>
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1/2 tablespoon honey</div>
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1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice</div>
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Place all ingredients in a microwave safe dish and cover. Microwave for approximately 5 minutes or until carrots are tender. Stir and serve.</div>
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<br />Meredithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07510960786007169383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5606185230238584198.post-77406705839297343732014-10-09T16:45:00.001-04:002014-10-09T16:45:42.395-04:0022 Healthy Crockpot Recipes for Weeknight Meals<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5szqS8zPgcU/VDbyDwWOqkI/AAAAAAAAEz0/uJ1vjgHYNZU/s1600/crockpot%2Brecipe%2Broundup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="22 Healthy Crockpot Recipes for Weeknight Meals @ATIPicalDay #Crockpot #recipes #easymeals #reciperoundup" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5szqS8zPgcU/VDbyDwWOqkI/AAAAAAAAEz0/uJ1vjgHYNZU/s1600/crockpot%2Brecipe%2Broundup.jpg" height="640" title="22 Healthy Crockpot Recipes for Weeknight Meals @ATIPicalDay #Crockpot #recipes #easymeals #reciperoundup" width="448" /></a></div>
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I have always enjoyed cooking in my crockpot/slowcooker, but this fall I have been hitting it pretty hard. In fact, it now has a permanent home on my kitchen counter. Crockpot meals are generally so simple to throw together and have such wonderful flavor. I love the added bonus of how amazing my house smells from them! I have been rounding up some recipes for you to try. I hope you enjoy them. Let me know your favorite!</div>
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<a href="http://www.annsentitledlife.com/recipes/venison-stew-recipe/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Venison Stew Recipe</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.annsentitledlife.com/recipes/slowcooker-spicy-chicken-thighs/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Slow Cooker Spicy Chicken Thighs</a></div>
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<a href="http://happydealhappyday.com/easy-frugal-receipes-vegetarian-chili/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Frugal Vegetarian Chili</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.howtohaveitall.net/sweet-potato-mash-slow-cooker-recipe/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sweet Potato Mash</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.howtohaveitall.net/slow-cooker-chicken-drumsticks-recipe/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Slow Cooker Chicken Drumsticks</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.howtohaveitall.net/slow-cooked-pizza-stuffed-peppers-recipe/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Slow Cooker Pizza Stuffed Peppers</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.twohealthykitchens.com/2014/02/06/crock-pot-creamy-chicken-corn-chowder/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Creamy Chicken Corn Chowder</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.twohealthykitchens.com/2014/08/14/healthy-crock-pot-buffalo-chicken-sandwiches/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Healthy Buffalo Chicken Sandwiches</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.twohealthykitchens.com/2014/06/26/crock-pot-north-carolina-bbq-pulled-chicken-sandwiches/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">North Carolina BBQ Pulled Chicken Sandwiches</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.twohealthykitchens.com/2014/01/23/crock-pot-crazy-pineapple-chili/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Crazy Pineapple Chili</a></div>
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<a href="http://dishaboutit.com/crock-pot-lemon-rice-soup/" target="_blank">Crockpot Lemon Rice Soup</a></div>
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<a href="http://sweeptight.com/2014/08/easy-slow-cooker-chicken-parmesan.html" target="_blank">Easy Slow Cooker Chicken Parmesan</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.thecouponchallenge.com/slow-cooker-mexican-chicken-recipe.html" target="_blank">Slow Cooker Mexican Chicken</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.oursmallhours.com/tender-slow-cooker-roast/" target="_blank">Tender Slow Cooker Roast</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.oursmallhours.com/easy-slow-cooker-beef-stew/" target="_blank">Easy Slow Cooker Beef Stew</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.littlehouseliving.com/crockpot-drumsticks-with-fresh-tomato-bbq-sauce.html" target="_blank">Crockpot Drumsticks with Fresh Tomato BBQ Sauce</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.militarywivessaving.com/crock-pot-7-can-soup/" target="_blank">Slow Cooker 7-Can Soup Recipe</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.farmfreshfeasts.com/2014/03/slow-cooker-sweet-potato-chili-with.html" target="_blank">Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Chili with Hatch Chiles, Corn, and Beef</a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Times New Roman, Times, FreeSerif, serif;"><a href="http://www.farmfreshfeasts.com/2014/01/easy-celery-rice-soup-with-slow-cooker.html" target="_blank">Easy Celery Rice Soup (with Slow Cooker option)</a></span></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.farmfreshfeasts.com/2012/10/slow-cooker-green-tomato-garlic-chili.html" target="_blank">Slow Cooker Green Tomato Garlic Chili</a></div>
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<a href="http://blossomsandposies.com/blog/cinnamon-applesauce/" target="_blank">Cinnamon Applesauce (no sugar)</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.atipicalday.com/2014/06/crock-pot-sausage-with-peppers-and.html" target="_blank">Crockpot Sausage with Peppers and Onions</a></div>
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<br />Meredithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07510960786007169383noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5606185230238584198.post-33392977818526071792014-09-20T08:33:00.000-04:002014-09-20T08:33:14.307-04:00DIY Halloween Costumes for the Whole Family<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e2byoOzMeIY/VByfQvLyhxI/AAAAAAAAEvM/V9Saq4PFy58/s1600/DIY%2BCostumes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="DIY Costumes for the Whole Family @ATIPicalDay #halloween #DIY #Costumes #Roundup" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e2byoOzMeIY/VByfQvLyhxI/AAAAAAAAEvM/V9Saq4PFy58/s1600/DIY%2BCostumes.jpg" height="640" title="DIY Costumes for the Whole Family @ATIPicalDay #halloween #DIY #Costumes #Roundup" width="448" /></a></div>
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Halloween is just around the corner. My kids are already buzzing about what they will be this year. I told them they needed to use their imaginations and come up with something using items we have around the house. I will not be spending money on costumes this year. We rounded up some fun ideas for everyone in the family and are sharing them with you!</div>
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Which one is your favorite?</div>
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Slap Dash Mom - <a href="http://slapdashmom.com/1-diy-halloween-costume-tutorial-paper-doll/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">$1 DIY Paper Doll Costume</a></div>
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Slap Dash Mom - <a href="http://slapdashmom.com/easy-3-medusa-costume-and-makeup-tutorial/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">$3 Medusa Costume</a></div>
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Slap Dash Mom - <a href="http://slapdashmom.com/diy-tardis-costume-from-dr-who/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">DIY Tardis (From Dr. Who) Costume</a></div>
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Bare Feet on the Dashboard - <a href="http://www.barefeetonthedashboard.com/2014/09/easy-diy-football-themed-halloween-family-halloween-costumes/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Easy DIY Family Football Themed Costumes</a></div>
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Carrie Elle - <a href="http://www.carrieelle.com/2014/06/no-sew-elsa-costume.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Super Simple No-Sew Elsa Dress</a></div>
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Carrie Elle - <a href="http://www.carrieelle.com/2013/10/diy-power-rangers-costume.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">DIY Power Rangers Costumes</a></div>
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Mission: to Save - <a href="http://missiontosave.com/diy-buzz-lightyear-costume/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">DIY Buzz Lightyear Costume</a></div>
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Mission: to Save - <a href="http://missiontosave.com/diy-star-wars-costumes-jedi-princess-leia/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">DIY Star Wars Costumes</a></div>
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Little House Companion - <a href="http://www.littlehousecompanion.com/2014/09/how-to-make-felt-braids.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">How to Make Felt Braids</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.grinninglikeanidiot.com/2011/10/bird-halloween-costume/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rYEF83g58S8/VByjtOuWCSI/AAAAAAAAExI/bfh95jkzm9c/s1600/bird%2Bcostume.jpg" height="306" width="320" /></a></div>
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Grinning Like An Idiot - <a href="http://www.grinninglikeanidiot.com/2011/10/bird-halloween-costume/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Bird Halloween Costume</a></div>
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<a href="http://theexhaustedmom.com/couples-halloween-costume-ideas/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XB5kGj87JFY/VByhIpnH-zI/AAAAAAAAEv0/DMDjKDIy0jY/s1600/Couples%2Bcostumes.jpg" height="320" width="241" /></a></div>
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The Exhausted Mom - <a href="http://theexhaustedmom.com/couples-halloween-costume-ideas/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Couples Halloween Costumes</a></div>
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<a href="http://swoodsonsays.com/diy-ewok-hood-tutorial-craftingcon-blog-tour/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n5LK9J2LnA8/VByj2FcaUEI/AAAAAAAAExQ/X9rzYIcu4Cs/s1600/ewok%2Bhood.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
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Swoodson Says - <a href="http://swoodsonsays.com/diy-ewok-hood-tutorial-craftingcon-blog-tour/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">DIY Ewok Hood Tutorial</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.fairytalesandfitness.com/2013/10/are-you-ready-for-wicked-good-time.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x4mnFYYRjKU/VBykHLqOO6I/AAAAAAAAExY/RTb-u-RbmdQ/s1600/wicked%2B10%2Bk.%2Bwith%2Bdogs%2BJPG.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Fairytales and Fitness - <a href="http://www.fairytalesandfitness.com/2013/10/are-you-ready-for-wicked-good-time.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Are You Ready For a Wicked Good Time?</a></div>
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Fairytales and Fitness - <a href="http://www.fairytalesandfitness.com/2014/09/creative-costume-ideas-for-halloween.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Creative Costume Ideas for Halloween</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.pamspartyandpracticaltips.com/2013/09/making-your-own-halloween-costumes.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--QejhG0B0JM/VByhQZvVRtI/AAAAAAAAEv8/oXbqtRycUWU/s1600/fox%2Bcostume.JPG" /></a></div>
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Pam's Party & Practical Tips - <a href="http://www.pamspartyandpracticaltips.com/2013/09/making-your-own-halloween-costumes.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Making Your Own Halloween Costumes</a></div>
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Pam's Party & Practical Tips - <a href="http://www.pamspartyandpracticaltips.com/2011/10/last-minute-costume-ideas.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Last Minute Costume Ideas</a></div>
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Need even more inspiration? Come check out my Halloween Costume Pinterest Board!</div>
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<a data-pin-board-width="400" data-pin-do="embedBoard" data-pin-scale-height="200" data-pin-scale-width="80" href="http://www.pinterest.com/ATIPicalday/halloween-costumes/">Follow ATIPicalDay's board Halloween - Costumes on Pinterest.</a><!-- Please call pinit.js only once per page --><script async="" src="//assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3ls91xn8_tc/U4_WRL1IX_I/AAAAAAAAD0A/eO8QHS97ziA/s1600/signature+62014.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3ls91xn8_tc/U4_WRL1IX_I/AAAAAAAAD0A/eO8QHS97ziA/s1600/signature+62014.png" height="94" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Meredithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07510960786007169383noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5606185230238584198.post-37259473870047906642014-09-14T18:23:00.000-04:002014-09-14T18:23:51.023-04:00Star Wars Themed Cub Scout Popcorn Kickoff Skit<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rCthLOUG1kw/VBXuL59h_cI/AAAAAAAAEp4/g7VB9WpBeRw/s1600/starwars%2Bthemed%2Bskit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Printable Star Wars themed skit for a popcorn kickoff - @ATIPicalDay #popcorn #cubscouts #BSA #trailsend #popcornkickoff #starwars" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rCthLOUG1kw/VBXuL59h_cI/AAAAAAAAEp4/g7VB9WpBeRw/s1600/starwars%2Bthemed%2Bskit.jpg" height="640" title="Printable Star Wars themed skit for a popcorn kickoff - @ATIPicalDay #popcorn #cubscouts #BSA #trailsend #popcornkickoff #starwars" width="640" /></a></div>
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It is BSA popcorn season again! That means I am up to my eyeballs in popcorn and popcorn themed events. Fortunately I was able to hand the position of Popcorn Kernel off this year, but I remain heavily involved due to my position as Committee Chair.</div>
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This year our Council chose "space" as the theme for popcorn. I admit that I was a just little bit excited when I heard this as there are so many things you can do around space. Right away I got to work putting together a skit that would cover our theme and explain the details of our sale. This is my favorite part about popcorn. I love interacting (or maybe just acting) with the Scouts. One of the mother's in our unit informed I am freak for how quickly I was able to put this together. I just smiled. When you love something, it just comes easily. My only regret is that I didn't get any pictures. :( </div>
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This is what our Kickoff Party looked like: </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Invitations: </b></span>Our Pack has about 80 boys, so we started out by sending a space themed <a href="http://evite.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">evite</a> to the unit. This really helps with getting a head count for the event and allows them to easily share details with others.</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Food:</span></b>Our Kernel ordered pizza and made up veggie, fruit, and cookie trays. Dinner was served while everyone was arriving.</div>
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<b style="font-size: x-large;">Presentation: </b>Boys need that "WOW" factor to really get them energized. Doing a really fun themed skit is a great way to get their attention. Here is the link for the printable <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3cwKLa1AwrLVS1aQjVwV1o1VXM/edit?usp=sharing" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Star Wars Skit</a>! Our guys loved this! I think this may have been my all time favorite one to write! Be sure to add the special effects and come up with some type of costume. Most ours were very simple, just enough to tell who we were. </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Fun: </b></span><span style="text-align: center;">After the skit, we put on a space themed movie (Planet 51) and handed out glow sticks. We couldn't have a kickoff without popping some of our Trails End popcorn too. So we served this during the movie. </span></div>
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This was a pretty simple event to put together and requires very little prep time (except for maybe the skit.)</div>
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Hope you will use the skit and find this information useful! Your Scouts will enjoy this. Please let me know if you end up using it! What other themed skits would you like? If you have something specific<a href="mailto:meredith.atipicalday@gmail.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> let me know</a>, I will be happy to write one for your unit for a nominal fee.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3ls91xn8_tc/U4_WRL1IX_I/AAAAAAAAD0A/eO8QHS97ziA/s1600/signature+62014.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3ls91xn8_tc/U4_WRL1IX_I/AAAAAAAAD0A/eO8QHS97ziA/s1600/signature+62014.png" height="94" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Meredithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07510960786007169383noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5606185230238584198.post-35555654988090633682014-09-01T14:27:00.000-04:002014-09-01T14:27:30.347-04:00You Are Stronger Than You Believe<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fbZUf3aL0dY/VASwaKAxnYI/AAAAAAAAEks/fO_XqtqlMBo/s1600/running.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Girl running through a finish line. You are stronger than you believe - @ATIPicalDay #running #motivation #inspiration #devotional #encouragement #goalsetting #5k" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fbZUf3aL0dY/VASwaKAxnYI/AAAAAAAAEks/fO_XqtqlMBo/s1600/running.jpg" height="640" title="You are stronger than you believe - @ATIPicalDay #running #motivation #inspiration #devotional #encouragement #goalsetting #5k" width="474" /></a></div>
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I am training to run a 5K in November. It will be my first. I am really nervous about it. I am not a runner, never have been. In fact, in high school I use to fake injuries to get out of gym class because of how much I despised running. So the question begs, why would I start running now at almost 37 years old? The truth is that I wanted something to challenge myself. Something I would really have to work at, and something I wasn't really sure that I would be able to complete. I chose well! Five weeks ago when I started, I could hardly make it through one sold minute of running without feeling like I would pass out and die. It took everything I had to push through that first week of training. Each time I run, I feel stronger and push myself a little harder. </div>
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This morning as I finished my intervals I was celebrating. While I am still a long way off from where I would like to be, I am nearly half way to my goal. During those times when I feel like giving up, I am reminded of Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things through him who gives me strength." The words echo in my mind and I am reminded that my strength flows from the Lord. As a result I am so much stronger than what I think I am. These words encourage and motivate me to keep going. </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0EHfpQ8OTcg/VAS4R4UwriI/AAAAAAAAElE/5TAynCg_U6k/s1600/philip413.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength - Philippians 4:13 - You are stronger than you believe - @ATIPicalDay #running #motivation #inspiration #devotional #encouragement #goalsetting #5k #philippians4:13" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0EHfpQ8OTcg/VAS4R4UwriI/AAAAAAAAElE/5TAynCg_U6k/s1600/philip413.png" height="160" title="Our strength flows from the Lord - You are stronger than you believe - @ATIPicalDay #running #motivation #inspiration #devotional #encouragement #goalsetting #5k #philippians4:13" width="640" /></a></div>
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While I have been applying them to my running, they can be applied to so many other aspects of life. No matter what you are going through right now, know that you are so much stronger than you believe. Set your mind to getting through, put your trust in the Lord, and take courage in His strength. It will carry you through the tough times because your strength comes from the Lord.</div>
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What goals have you set for yourself? How hard will you push to achieve them?</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3ls91xn8_tc/U4_WRL1IX_I/AAAAAAAAD0A/eO8QHS97ziA/s1600/signature+62014.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3ls91xn8_tc/U4_WRL1IX_I/AAAAAAAAD0A/eO8QHS97ziA/s1600/signature+62014.png" height="94" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Meredithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07510960786007169383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5606185230238584198.post-6898766252517665992014-08-30T06:30:00.000-04:002014-08-30T08:59:39.994-04:00How to be a Fun Mom<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 24.533334732055664px;"><i>I feel like this summer was a blur of activity. It makes it go too fast! I have really enjoyed sharing the Tuesday Twitter Linky Parties with you and hope you will continue to link up over at <a href="http://theultimatelinky.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://theultimatelinky.com</a>. </i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 24.533334732055664px;"><i>Today I am super excited to share a guest post from Camille Gillham. Camille is a favorite blogger of mine. I love her tips for traveling with kids, but that is really just the tip of the iceberg for all the neat things she shares. Thank you Camille for sharing some of your great inspiration here at <a href="http://www.atipicalday.com/" target="_blank">A TIPical Day</a>!</i></span></span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mrVajq-pSbY/VACz2D35EJI/AAAAAAAAEi0/80zeEVdDYDc/s1600/5waysfunmom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Boy wearing an apron stirs a bowl of pancake mix. 5 Ways to be a Fun Mom! Guest post by Camille Gillham. @ATIPicalDay #funparenting #sillysuppers #bathroomfun #familybonding #kidactivities" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mrVajq-pSbY/VACz2D35EJI/AAAAAAAAEi0/80zeEVdDYDc/s1600/5waysfunmom.jpg" height="320" title="5 Ways to be a Fun Mom! Guest post by Camille Gillham. @ATIPicalDay #funparenting #sillysuppers #bathroomfun #familybonding #kidactivities" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">How
to be a fun Mom<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Now that my kids are in school, I relish the
summertime with them. I love spending time with them, playing games together,
going on walks and bike rides, pretty much everything. I also appreciate
routine, chores, and rules. So how in the world can you be the strict mom who
enforces the rules but still a fun Mom? Here are 5 things that work for me:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Try a Silly Supper-</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">
We teach manners all week long- how to sit properly, how to pass the food, good
conversational skills, all the good things. However, once a week we take the
time to just be silly. I have a jar full of different ways to mix up dinner
time. Some ideas include:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Eat under the table instead <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Every sentence must be in the form of a question<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Search for your food throughout the house<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Eat with crazy utensils<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Dessert first please!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_T6d-wuMlm0/VACzVdBmAvI/AAAAAAAAEio/Otuu8A9W7UY/s1600/sillysuppers%2B(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="How to be a fun mom - have silly suppers. Guest post by Camille Gillham @ ATIPicalDay #sillysuppers #kidactivities #bathroomfun " border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_T6d-wuMlm0/VACzVdBmAvI/AAAAAAAAEio/Otuu8A9W7UY/s1600/sillysuppers%2B(1).jpg" height="320" title="How to be a fun mom - have silly suppers. Guest post by Camille Gillham @ ATIPicalDay #sillysuppers #kidactivities #bathroomfun " width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Silly Suppers mix up
dinner just enough for us to laugh and have a good time. A lot of them don’t
take much work too which I appreciate. For </span><a href="http://www.cknscratch.com/silly-suppers/2012/04/silly-supper-suggestions.html"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> 50 more ideas see this great list I’ve
compiled</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Take advantage of Bathroom Time-</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">
Ok, you’ll probably going to laugh at me but seriously, it’s great. Everyone
goes to the bathroom so take advantage of that fact and make the bathroom a fun
place to be. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 94.5pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level3 lfo1; text-indent: -9.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Put
butcher paper on the wall next to the toilet. Provide crayons or colored
pencils to use nearby (anything washable just in case it winds up on the walls).
Have free draw or leave some unfinished art projects. I love asking questions
too like “What do you want to do this summer?” It’s a great way to bond even
though you </span></span><span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">aren't</span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> spending time together. Jokes work well here too. When it’s
full, put a new one up and laugh about the old one together.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 94.5pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level3 lfo1; text-indent: -9.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Put
pictures up of all the fun things you do together. Let your kids remember the
fun times you have had (and remind yourself). Just seeing the pictures create
fun conversations, great memories to recall, and it’s a great reminder of how
we love each other. Try switching the photos out every couple of months. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 94.5pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level3 lfo1; text-indent: -9.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Add
blank cards next to the family photos. Leave writing prompts or give
opportunities to leave funny captions or memories. Be sure there is a pencil
nearby. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 94.5pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level3 lfo1; text-indent: -9.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Draw
on the mirrors. Any type of washable markers work but I prefer white board
markers. Stand in front of the mirror at the height of your kiddos to fill in
funny features; write inspiring messages, reminders, funny jokes, quotes, or draw
fun decorations. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">3.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://www.cknscratch.com/fridays-chef/"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Cook
together</span></b></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">- I love this one because it is so much
fun and it teaches great skills. Pick one day a week or month and cook
together. I like to cook with one kid each Friday. It lets us have special one
on one time. Sometimes they pick some favorite recipes and sometimes they pick
something that is new to the both of us. It’s fun to learn together, make
mistakes together, and improvise together. My kids have to pick the recipes,
write down a list of ingredients for me to buy, cook it, set the table, and
help clean up. We do silly suppers this day too so it’s all kinds of fun
disguised as great life skills. My 2 year old LOVES this one.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">4.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Reward the Good-</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">
Ever tire of just correcting the negative? We decided to use gold coins to
reward the good. There are no real rules for gold coins, just whenever my
husband and I decide to reward them. I hand them out when I see them being
particularly nice to a sibling or being a peacemaker. I’ll leave them one on
their bed when I do a random room check and find it clean. If there is a day
that I needed extra help, I reward them for all their hard work. They choose
how to spend the gold coins. 3 gold coins means you can pick something out of
our treasure chest which is filled with $1 or less items as well as quarters. 8
gold coins equals a PJ party. We don’t do sleepovers but PJ parties are just as good- they get to pick out a few special treats, one movie, and one friend to
have over for an extra-long playdate. 10 gold coins means you get to go to the
store and pick something out that’s under $5. So far I have only done a few 10
gold coins purchases; most like taking the prize at 8. </span></span><span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">We've</span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> been doing this
for years and it still works great (Bonus: it teaches the value and patience of
saving).<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">5.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Use your imagination</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">-
We want our kids to use it so why </span></span><span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">aren't</span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> we? Instead of just going on a walk, go on
a safari and be amazed at all the animals you see (see that giant hippo instead
of the pine tree). On a long car ride? Turn it into a submarine or an airplane.
When I was little my Dad always told us about this special feature he had on
his station wagon every time we were going over a big bridge. I loved it and
totally believed him when I was young. Even though I grew wise to his tricks, I
still loved it. He would pretend to push and pull all these knobs and tell us
to listen as the wings pop out. He’d count down and make all kinds of noise when
we took off. Best thing ever! <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Being fun </span></span><span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">doesn't</span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> mean you don’t follow the rules or
have a routine. It just means getting creative. So how are you a Fun Mom (or
Dad)? I’m always looking for extra ideas to put in my toolbox. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ibx8k8VBK7U/VACz95DSUCI/AAAAAAAAEi8/qphsO1kZXSU/s1600/me2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ibx8k8VBK7U/VACz95DSUCI/AAAAAAAAEi8/qphsO1kZXSU/s1600/me2.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Camille Gillham blogs over at </span><a href="http://www.costours.com/"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Colorado Springs Tours and Reviews</span></a><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">.
She loves being a fun mom to her 5 kids and touring her hometown. You can also
find her at </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://www.cknscratch.com/">Chicken Scratch n Sniff.</a></span></div>
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<br />Meredithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07510960786007169383noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5606185230238584198.post-86946223958852856262014-08-26T08:58:00.000-04:002014-08-26T08:58:48.992-04:00Tuesday Twitter Linky Party #34<h3 style="text-align: center;">
Welcome to The Ultimate Linky's Twitter Party!</h3>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I can't believe that summer is already over and this is my last week to cohost the Twitter Tuesday's Linky Party. I have had such a great time doing this and have met some great new people. You can continue to link up at <a href="http://theultimatelinky.com/" target="_blank">The Ultimate Linky</a> where this party runs every month. Thanks for linking up with me this summer!
There are two linkies in this party! You can do just one or both linkies if you wish. On the first linky, you will link up your Twitter URL for your Twitter account so that you can be followed. On the second linky, link up the URL of a tweet you would like to be retweeted.
Please follow me and Tammy from The Ultimate Linky on Twitter, add the button to your sidebar or party page, and then link up and follow the directions for who to follow/retweet! If you are the last three to link up, your links will be manually added to the beginning of next week's link-up so that you get your follows. You can always follow more if you decide to! We also would love any shares that you could give to help spread the word about this party!
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<br />Meredithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07510960786007169383noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5606185230238584198.post-6810282984851843392014-08-19T06:30:00.000-04:002014-08-19T06:30:01.725-04:00Tuesday Twitter Linky Party #33<h3 style="text-align: center;">
Welcome to the The Ultimate Linky's Twitter Party!</h3>
Thanks for coming and linking up here to the Twitter Linky Party! I only have this week and next left as the Co-host for this amazing party! I have so enjoyed all the new people I have met through this linky party! Be sure you go over and follow Tammy and all of the other amazing follow linky parties she does there! There are two linkies in this party! You can do just one or both linkies if you wish. On the first linky, you will link up your Twitter URL for your Twitter account so that you can be followed. On the second linky, link up the URL of a tweet you would like to be retweeted.
Please follow me and Tammy from The Ultimate Linky on Twitter, add the button to your sidebar or party page, and then link up and follow the directions for who to follow/retweet! If you are the last three to link up, your links will be manually added to the beginning of next week's link-up so that you get your follows. You can always follow more if you decide to! We also would love any shares that you could give to help spread the word about this party!
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<br />Meredithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07510960786007169383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5606185230238584198.post-77715057510892043952014-08-12T10:03:00.001-04:002014-08-12T10:03:41.750-04:00Perfect Brown Rice Pasta Every Time & Tuesday Twitter Linky Party #32<div style="text-align: center;">
Sorry I am a little late getting this up this week! My internet was down this morning. Such a frustrating problem for a blogger! Today I am sharing with you how to make perfect brown rice pasta. Since starting my new dietary lifestyle, brown rice pasta has become a staple for my family. While it is a fine substitute, it can be a little bland and mushy if not cooked correctly. It took me awhile, but I think I have finally perfected the art off cooking it! </div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
You will want to start with a good quality brown rice pasta. There are many varieties out there. Play with them and see which you like best. You will want to follow the package directions for cooking, and apply the below tips to get the best tasting brown rice pasta ever!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<ul>
<li>Add extra water to your pot. This will help the pasta to cook more evenly.</li>
<li>Add a splash of olive oil to your water.</li>
<li>Be sure to generously salt your boiling water. I use a good palm full of sea salt.</li>
<li>Stir frequently to reduce noodles sticking together.</li>
<li>Do not over cook! Use the time stated on the package as your guide. Test noodle to make sure it is perfectly cooked. It should not be tough (not cooked completely) or mushy (overcooked).</li>
<li>Drain completely and rinse with cold water.</li>
<li>Once drained drizzle Extra Virgin Olive Oil (about 1 tablespoon) all over noodles. Sprinkle with some additional sea salt. I personally love to use a organic garlic and sea salt mix I get from B.J.'s Wholesale.</li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Doing these steps will truly enhance the flavor of your bland brown rice pasta and no one will know that you are serving something healthy!</div>
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Serve this pasta with your favorite sauce or plain with a sprinkle of your favorite cheese.</div>
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Now onto our party! Be sure to share the party with your friends for an even better party!</div>
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Welcome to the The Ultimate Linky's Twitter Party!</h3>
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Thanks for coming and linking up here to the Twitter Linky Party! You can come back here every week on Tuesday for this whole summer to get more followers on twitter! Our goal is to grow this party so that there will be new people linking up every week so that you can continue to get new followers!
There are two linkies in this party! You can do just one or both linkies if you wish. On the first linky, you will link up your Twitter URL for your Twitter account so that you can be followed. On the second linky, link up the URL of a tweet you would like to be retweeted.
Please follow me and Tammy from The Ultimate Linky on Twitter, add the button to your sidebar or party page, and then link up and follow the directions for who to follow/retweet! If you are the last three to link up, your links will be manually added to the beginning of next week's link-up so that you get your follows. You can always follow more if you decide to! We also would love any shares that you could give to help spread the word about this party!
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<br />Meredithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07510960786007169383noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5606185230238584198.post-65033273389858614452014-08-05T07:03:00.000-04:002014-08-05T07:06:37.360-04:00Tuesday Twitter Linky Party #31 & More Giveaways<h3 style="text-align: center;">
Welcome to the The Ultimate Linky's Twitter Party!</h3>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Thanks for coming and linking up here to the Twitter Linky Party! You can come back here every week on Tuesday for this whole summer to get more followers on twitter! Our goal is to grow this party so that there will be new people linking up every week so that you can continue to get new followers!
There are two linkies in this party! You can do just one or both linkies if you wish. On the first linky, you will link up your Twitter URL for your Twitter account so that you can be followed. On the second linky, link up the URL of a tweet you would like to be retweeted.
Please follow me and Tammy from The Ultimate Linky on Twitter, add the button to your sidebar or party page, and then link up and follow the directions for who to follow/retweet! If you are the last three to link up, your links will be manually added to the beginning of next week's link-up so that you get your follows. You can always follow more if you decide to! We also would love any shares that you could give to help spread the word about this party!
</div>
<div style="padding: 5px; text-align: center;">
<img alt="The Ultimate Linky" src="http://theultimatelinky.com/twitter.jpg" title="The Ultimate Linky" /></div>
<pre style="background: none; border: none; padding: 0;"><textarea style="background: rgb(240, 240, 240); border: 1px solid rgb(237, 43, 137); color: #777777; display: block; font-size: 100%; height: 50px; margin: auto; padding: 7px 0px 2px 5px; text-align: center; width: 90%;"><div align="center">
<a href="http://theultimatelinky.com" title="The Ultimate Linky"><img src="http://theultimatelinky.com/twitter.jpg" alt="The Ultimate Linky" style="border:none;" /></a></div>
</textarea></pre>
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You can also link up one tweet that you would like to have re-tweeted. This is the same concept as above except you only have to tweet the two links above yours. I will make sure I tweet the last link(s).
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<div style="text-align: center;">
This summer, I have been able to be a co-host for this party that is hosted by <a href="http://theultimatelinky.com/" target="_blank">The Ultimate Linky</a>. All of the co-hosts of The Ultimate Linky's daily social media parties have gone together to offer you this giveaway for a $20 Amazon Gift card! This giveaway is open worldwide!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://www.shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=631782&u=757717&m=46950&urllink=&afftrack=" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://www.shareasale.com/image/46950/37E58672-78E7-D18C-422CC7A04232CCED.jpg" /></a>
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Now head on over to my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/atipicalday" target="_blank">Facebook Page</a> for another great giveaway! $500 in Zulily Credits for both you and me! Good Luck!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3ls91xn8_tc/U4_WRL1IX_I/AAAAAAAAD0A/eO8QHS97ziA/s1600/signature+62014.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3ls91xn8_tc/U4_WRL1IX_I/AAAAAAAAD0A/eO8QHS97ziA/s1600/signature+62014.png" height="94" width="320" /></a></div>
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Meredithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07510960786007169383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5606185230238584198.post-58405219734018469812014-07-29T06:30:00.000-04:002014-07-29T06:30:00.174-04:00Tuesday Twitter Linky Party #30 & Amazon Giftcard Giveaway<h3 style="text-align: center;">
Welcome to the The Ultimate Linky's Twitter Party!</h3>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We are just cruising through this summer. I want to thank you for coming and linking up here to the Twitter Linky Party! You can come back here every week on Tuesday for this whole summer to get more followers on twitter! Our goal is to grow this party so that there will be new people linking up every week so that you can continue to get new followers!
There are two linkies in this party! You can do just one or both linkies if you wish. On the first linky, you will link up your Twitter URL for your Twitter account so that you can be followed. On the second linky, link up the URL of a tweet you would like to be retweeted.
Please follow me and Tammy from The Ultimate Linky on Twitter, add the button to your sidebar or party page, and then link up and follow the directions for who to follow/retweet! If you are the last three to link up, your links will be manually added to the beginning of next week's link-up so that you get your follows. You can always follow more if you decide to! We also would love any shares that you could give to help spread the word about this party!
</div>
<div style="padding: 5px; text-align: center;">
<img alt="The Ultimate Linky" src="http://theultimatelinky.com/twitter.jpg" title="The Ultimate Linky" /></div>
<pre style="background: none; border: none; padding: 0;"><textarea style="background: rgb(240, 240, 240); border: 1px solid rgb(237, 43, 137); color: #777777; display: block; font-size: 100%; height: 50px; margin: auto; padding: 7px 0px 2px 5px; text-align: center; width: 90%;"><div align="center">
<a href="http://theultimatelinky.com" title="The Ultimate Linky"><img src="http://theultimatelinky.com/twitter.jpg" alt="The Ultimate Linky" style="border:none;" /></a></div>
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You can also link up one tweet that you would like to have re-tweeted. This is the same concept as above except you only have to tweet the two links above yours. I will make sure I tweet the last link(s).
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<script>// <![CDATA[
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<h3>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">WAIT BEFORE YOU LEAVE!</span></h3>
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<img alt="amazon giftcard giveaway" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-2260" src="http://theultimatelinky.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/amazon-giftcard.jpg" height="300" width="300" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This summer, I have been able to be a co-host for this party that is hosted by <a href="http://theultimatelinky.com/" target="_blank">The Ultimate Linky</a>. All of the co-hosts of The Ultimate Linky's daily social media parties have gone together to offer you this giveaway for a $20 Amazon Gift card! This giveaway is open worldwide!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e45666e123/" id="rc-e45666e123" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;">A TIPical Day.com</span> is not responsible for the fulfillment of this prize.
<script src="//widget.rafflecopter.com/load.js"></script>
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Meredithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07510960786007169383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5606185230238584198.post-36305208520393770832014-07-24T10:33:00.000-04:002014-07-24T10:48:08.193-04:00Oh Kindle, How I Love Thee<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>*Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. Any purchases made through this post will result in a commission to me. All views and opinions are my own.</i></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B00BWYVWLO/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00BWYVWLO&linkCode=am2&tag=atd05-20&linkId=E6AWMHUPTXKV55WX"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B00BWYVWLO&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=atd05-20" height="400" width="400" /></a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=atd05-20&l=am2&o=1&a=B00BWYVWLO" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>October 2008</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
It is just a little over a month out from Christmas. I am watching the "Oprah's Favorite Things in the World" episode. She is going on and on about this new thing called a Kindle. My only thought is that it looks like a ridiculous waste of money. Why would anyone want to read on a computer screen? I still print out things to read because my eyes go bonkers trying to read on the screen. I can't imagine what trying to read a whole book would do to me! Even more unimaginable, I can't imagine not having a real book to hold. I love the smell of them and the feel of that bulk in my hands. I vow to never use an e-reader. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B007HCCNJU/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B007HCCNJU&linkCode=am2&tag=atd05-20&linkId=EFRWFPZU2ZDXSWBX">Kindle, 6" E Ink Display, Wi-Fi - Includes Special Offers (Black)</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=atd05-20&l=am2&o=1&a=B007HCCNJU" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
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<b>February 2011</b></div>
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My husband hands me a package. He is grinning ear to ear as he watches me study the package. Hubby is a practical gift giver and almost never gives gifts for Valentine's Day, so I can't even imagine what is inside. My mouth drops open. It is an original Kindle e-reader. I look at him with a questioning glance. He explains that because I love to read so much he thought I might enjoy this new toy. I am in shock over his thoughtful gift and feel terrible because I have no desire to try it out. Guilt finally takes over and I start to use it for reading books and magazines.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B00JG8GOWU/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00JG8GOWU&linkCode=am2&tag=atd05-20&linkId=4BBIMA7TVYRA6F6A">Kindle Paperwhite, 6" High Resolution Display with Next-Gen Built-in Light, Wi-Fi - Includes Special Offers</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=atd05-20&l=am2&o=1&a=B00JG8GOWU" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
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I find I can download lots of free books from Amazon's website. I am enjoying the ease of use and the ability to look up words by just tapping on them. I feel like my vocabulary is growing just by using it. I download a bible onto it and now I am using it for my devotions too. I like that I can take notes in it and the bookmarks guarantee I will never loose my place. I am amazed at how quickly my Kindle becomes my new favorite reading device. </div>
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<b>September 2011</b></div>
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I am pregnant and on bed rest. I help my daughter up onto my bed. She walks across it and steps on my Kindle which I had laid down when I went to help her. To my horror the screen cracks and it is no longer usable. At this point I have had it so long I am sure that the warranty is well past. My sweet husband recommends that I call Amazon anyway and see what they can do for me. Convinced they won't help me I put it off. I am devastated because I feel like I have lost all of the books I had stored not to mention the one I was in the middle of reading! Suddenly I remember seeing something about a Kindle App. I run to my laptop and look it up. Sure enough for free I can download my free kindle app onto my laptop and continue to read from there! I am beyond excited! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/associates/AppDownload/?ref_=assoc_tag_ph_1402131685749&_encoding=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=pf4&program=1&tag=atd05-20&linkId=XR7A27TJDOJ4DTDO" target="_blank">Amazon.com - Read eBooks using the FREE Kindle Reading App on Most Devices</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=atd05-20&l=pf4&o=1" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
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<b><br /></b></div>
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<b>December 2011</b></div>
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I slowly work my way through my pile of gifts as I watch the excitement of paper flying around the room from our four young children. My husband pulls out a bag I hadn't noticed before. He hands it to me and then sits down to watch me. I am never sure what to expect from him. I look in the gift bag and can see the words Kindle Fire on the side of the box inside it. I gasp and pull it out. Indeed my thoughtful husband has purchased me a Kindle Fire. "I thought you needed an upgrade" he says smiling. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B00CU0NSCU/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00CU0NSCU&linkCode=am2&tag=atd05-20&linkId=BHB7WXSDXVUKO43R">Kindle Fire HD 7", HD Display, Wi-Fi, 8 GB - Includes Special Offers</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=atd05-20&l=am2&o=1&a=B00CU0NSCU" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
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I run my finger over the beautiful full color touch screen of my new Kindle Fire. It's ability to play numerous apps, movies, music and games are just a few of the advancements I find on it. On a regular basis I am having to wrestle it back from my kids who feel that it should be their's instead of mine. I add Amazon Prime and love all the additional options that gives me for music, movies, and borrowing books (not to mention discounted prices on other items and free 2 day shipping! Totally worth the expense!)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/video/primesignup/?ref_=assoc_tag_ph_1402131641212&ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=pf4&tag=atd05-20&linkId=RCZXCPSLNYNMLX2K" target="_blank">Join Amazon Prime - Watch Over 40,000 Movies & TV Shows Anytime - Start Free Trial Now</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=atd05-20&l=pf4&o=1" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
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Finally I make up my mind that I need to call Amazon about my broken Kindle. The customer service rep is very helpful and walks me through my options. While my warranty is expired they are still willing to help me. The option I choose is for a new Kindle Fire for a fraction of the price. In exchange I just need to send in my broken one! Done. </div>
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The new Kindle Fire is a welcome addition in my home and while it is suppose to be my husbands, it quickly gets taken over by our children. </div>
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<b>May 2104</b></div>
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I just downloaded my new Kindle App on my phone! I am so excited that I can have my books with me everywhere I go! This is going to make travel even easier than before. I can read on my phone and when I go back to my Kindle it auto syncs to the farthest place read. Since I always use bookmarks that makes it even easier to find my place.</div>
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There is nothing I don't love about my Kindle. I still read paper books as well, but my Kindle is my new favorite way to read. I can even get library books on my Kindle now! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/b/?ref_=assoc_tag_ph_1402131804424&_encoding=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=pf4&node=2407747011&tag=atd05-20&linkId=QQLDMG5PZTZ2EJIC" target="_blank">Shop Amazon - Contract Cell Phones & Service Plans</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=atd05-20&l=pf4&o=1" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
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Do you have a Kindle? Which one do you have and why do you love it?</div>
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<iframe border="0" frameborder="0" height="90" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/cm?t=atd05-20&o=1&p=48&l=st1&mode=kindle&search=Kindle&fc1=000000&lt1=_blank&lc1=3366FF&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="border: none;" width="728"></iframe>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3ls91xn8_tc/U4_WRL1IX_I/AAAAAAAAD0A/eO8QHS97ziA/s1600/signature+62014.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3ls91xn8_tc/U4_WRL1IX_I/AAAAAAAAD0A/eO8QHS97ziA/s1600/signature+62014.png" height="94" width="320" /></a></div>
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Meredithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07510960786007169383noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5606185230238584198.post-83032781841146173512014-07-22T06:30:00.000-04:002014-07-22T06:30:03.543-04:00Tuesday Twitter Linky Party #29<h3 style="text-align: center;">
Welcome to the The Ultimate Linky's Twitter Party!</h3>
It's Party time! Thanks for coming and linking up here to the Twitter Linky Party! You can come back here every week on Tuesday for this whole summer to get more followers on twitter! Our goal is to grow this party so that there will be new people linking up every week so that you can continue to get new followers!
There are two linkies in this party! You can do just one or both linkies if you wish. On the first linky, you will link up your Twitter URL for your Twitter account so that you can be followed. On the second linky, link up the URL of a tweet you would like to be retweeted.
Please follow me and Tammy from The Ultimate Linky on Twitter, add the button to your sidebar or party page, and then link up and follow the directions for who to follow/retweet! If you are the last three to link up, your links will be manually added to the beginning of next week's link-up so that you get your follows. You can always follow more if you decide to! We also would love any shares that you could give to help spread the word about this party!<br />
<div align="center" style="padding: 5px;">
<img alt="The Ultimate Linky" src="http://theultimatelinky.com/twitter.jpg" title="The Ultimate Linky" /></div>
<pre style="background: none; border: none; padding: 0;"><textarea style="background: #f0f0f0; border: solid 1px #ed2b89; color: #777777; display: block; font-size: 100%; height: 50px; margin: auto; padding: 7px 0 2px 5px; text-align: left; width: 90%;"><div align="center">
<a href="http://theultimatelinky.com" title="The Ultimate Linky"><img src="http://theultimatelinky.com/twitter.jpg" alt="The Ultimate Linky" style="border:none;" /></a></div>
</textarea></pre>
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<br />Meredithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07510960786007169383noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5606185230238584198.post-23784723656418806182014-07-17T08:05:00.001-04:002014-07-17T08:05:38.925-04:00Taking Mommy and Daddy Timeouts<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Today I would like to introduce you to another fabulous guest blogger, Stacy Huddle of <a href="http://huddlenet.com/">Huddlenet.com</a>. I met Stacy in a Facebook Group several months back and have really enjoyed her writing. She offers down to earth advice for parents, amazing recipes, as well as mental health tidbits and inspiration. Thank you Stacy for today's guest post on Mommy and Daddy Timeouts. This is something I personally forget to do on a regular basis.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RJtaZRoEAw0/U7_sms1pdaI/AAAAAAAAETc/CGGyP766vc4/s1600/Meredith+-+Mommy+and+Daddy+Timeouts.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Man and woman drinking coffee with tired expressions - Guest Post from Stacy@huddlenet.com - Taking Mommy and Daddy Timeouts @ATIPicalDay #parenttimeouts #marriageenrichment #ican'tdoitalone #ideasforrelaxing" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RJtaZRoEAw0/U7_sms1pdaI/AAAAAAAAETc/CGGyP766vc4/s1600/Meredith+-+Mommy+and+Daddy+Timeouts.png" height="640" title="Guest Post from Stacy@huddlenet.com - Taking Mommy and Daddy Timeouts @ATIPicalDay #parenttimeouts #marriageenrichment #ican'tdoitalone #ideasforrelaxing" width="568" /></a></div>
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When Meredith mentioned looking for guest posts, I thought it would be a fun way to interact with a blog that I enjoy. My next thought was, "What can I offer to Meredith's readers that she doesn't already bring to the table?" After putting on my thinking cap the answer seemed simple. Meredith's family is just starting, while mine is, well, old (6 children ages 15 through 29).</div>
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One of the things that I wish I had been able to tell myself when I was a young parent was this - Moms and Dads need timeout. Notice the word need? This isn't a want. This isn't an if I can fit it in. It's a MUST. It doesn't matter if you are a stay at home parent or a working parent. If we don't open the release valve on our stress, things go "kaboom" quickly.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y5fUShwjnZQ/U7_siP82rfI/AAAAAAAAETE/u0UYs_jYbug/s1600/Meredith+-+Mommy+and+Daddy+Time+Bible+Study.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="group of women laughing and reading bibles - Guest Post from Stacy@huddlenet.com - Taking Mommy and Daddy Timeouts @ATIPicalDay #parenttimeouts #marriageenrichment #ican'tdoitalone #ideasforrelaxing" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y5fUShwjnZQ/U7_siP82rfI/AAAAAAAAETE/u0UYs_jYbug/s1600/Meredith+-+Mommy+and+Daddy+Time+Bible+Study.png" height="270" title="Guest Post from Stacy@huddlenet.com - Taking Mommy and Daddy Timeouts @ATIPicalDay #parenttimeouts #marriageenrichment #ican'tdoitalone #ideasforrelaxing" width="400" /></a></div>
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My marriage nearly ended in year 4 because we didn't take time for us. Together and alone. He went to work, came home, ate dinner, watched TV and went to bed. Same thing everyday. Lather rinse repeat. I stayed home day after day watching our children, fixing dinner, doing chores and spending time on the computer. </div>
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We were a military family, so moving from place to place made it difficult to get out there and make friends, join new churches and organizations. It didn't help that I have agoraphobia (fear of doing things out of your comfort zone). The thing is though, all people have fears, obstacles and busy schedules that conflict with "me time". We can all make excuses but we must make time.</div>
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There is an excellent reason for finding that time: "Reduce stress, be happier!" Do you need any further reasons? </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zg0xNyqtdj0/U7_sln6ijLI/AAAAAAAAETk/5pnt368ULtM/s1600/Meredith+-+Mommy+and+Daddy+Time+Golf.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="man playing golf - Guest Post from Stacy@huddlenet.com - Taking Mommy and Daddy Timeouts @ATIPicalDay #parenttimeouts #marriageenrichment #ican'tdoitalone #ideasforrelaxing" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zg0xNyqtdj0/U7_sln6ijLI/AAAAAAAAETk/5pnt368ULtM/s1600/Meredith+-+Mommy+and+Daddy+Time+Golf.png" height="270" title="Guest Post from Stacy@huddlenet.com - Taking Mommy and Daddy Timeouts @ATIPicalDay #parenttimeouts #marriageenrichment #ican'tdoitalone #ideasforrelaxing" width="400" /></a></div>
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Let's start with some ways to spend your time alone. Whether you take 10 minutes or an entire afternoon, there are many ways to do it and relieve that pesky stress. Here are a few ways to enjoy yourself:</div>
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1. Sit on the porch and relax. Watch the clouds or read a book</div>
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2. Go in the backyard and throw a ball with your dog.</div>
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3. Take a walk. Visit a park. Walk the track at the local high school.</div>
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4. Get a massage or a manicure.</div>
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5. Play a round of golf or join a softball team.</div>
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6. Bible study and church groups.</div>
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7. Soak in the bathtub with a good book or a glass of wine.</div>
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8. Take a community class. Learn to paint, cook or sew.</div>
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9. Sunbathe on the patio, at the pool or at the beach.</div>
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10. Volunteer! </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Sh4YgYg3N0E/U7_slgd8vDI/AAAAAAAAETY/npmybQbnx9w/s1600/Meredith+-+Mommy+and+Daddy+Time+Dance.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Man and woman dancing - Guest Post from Stacy@huddlenet.com - Taking Mommy and Daddy Timeouts @ATIPicalDay #parenttimeouts #marriageenrichment #ican'tdoitalone #ideasforrelaxing" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Sh4YgYg3N0E/U7_slgd8vDI/AAAAAAAAETY/npmybQbnx9w/s1600/Meredith+-+Mommy+and+Daddy+Time+Dance.png" height="270" title="Guest Post from Stacy@huddlenet.com - Taking Mommy and Daddy Timeouts @ATIPicalDay #parenttimeouts #marriageenrichment #ican'tdoitalone #ideasforrelaxing" width="400" /></a></div>
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It's also important to spend time together as a couple. Do you remember what it was like before children? There isn't any reason that you can't still have small slices of that. You simply have to make the time. Try a few of these or come up with your own:</div>
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1. Go dancing or take a dance class.</div>
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2. Go paint-balling - talk about a stress reducer!</div>
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3. Visit a local museum or historical site.</div>
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4. Plan a fancy dinner in your own dining room.</div>
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5. Picnics at sunset.</div>
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6. Enjoy a glass of wine on the back patio.</div>
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7. Visit a special place from when you first started dating.</div>
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8. Go to a carnival WITHOUT the kids.</div>
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9. Visit the gym together (seriously!).</div>
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10. Play a game.</div>
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Now that your armed with all kinds of ideas to relieve parental stress, you might be wondering what to do with the kids. You'd be surprised at all the options that are surrounding you. If you can afford childcare then you're set but for others, the budget is often tight. Here are some ideas to help you:</div>
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1. For those who are married or have a significant other, just ask. Let them know you're feeling overwhelmed and just need a few minutes every day. It's that easy.</div>
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2. Relatives and friends. Most grandparents enjoy watching their grand-kids. A good friend will most certainly want to help you out. Be careful not to over-ask any of these people though. </div>
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3. Church! While every church is different, some offer babysitting during bible study classes. You could probably even find some parents who are in the same situation that you are in.</div>
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4. Community services for low income families. There are many programs out there, especially in larger cities that you could check out. Depending on the state that you live in, a simple search on the internet can get you started. If you have a caseworker for DHHS, talk to him/her about your needs.</div>
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5. Military families have many resources available that they are often unaware of. Every unit has some form of spouse and family support. You can search online or have your military member make an inquiry from their commander.</div>
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6. Older children can babysit younger children. It's a time honored tradition. If you have a responsible child that you trust to care for younger siblings, give them a chance to surprise and shine. Start with a short period of time and give clear instructions.</div>
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I've provided you with a list of ideas on how to spend time with yourself or spouse but there are a million of other ideas. Take some time and make your own list of things that you would enjoy doing. In fact, make the list together after the kids have gone to bed and you will have just spent your first bit of time together. </div>
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You might have to think outside the box on how to find childcare but the effort will be worth it.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JP6TnSSePTo/U7_slh_SVuI/AAAAAAAAETg/pCjurkrxxxg/s1600/Meredith+-+Mommy+and+Daddy+Time+Hammock.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Couple in a hammock hanging on a porch - Guest Post from Stacy@huddlenet.com - Taking Mommy and Daddy Timeouts @ATIPicalDay #parenttimeouts #marriageenrichment #ican'tdoitalone #ideasforrelaxing" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JP6TnSSePTo/U7_slh_SVuI/AAAAAAAAETg/pCjurkrxxxg/s1600/Meredith+-+Mommy+and+Daddy+Time+Hammock.png" height="270" title="Guest Post from Stacy@huddlenet.com - Taking Mommy and Daddy Timeouts @ATIPicalDay #parenttimeouts #marriageenrichment #ican'tdoitalone #ideasforrelaxing" width="400" /></a></div>
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Good luck and may your stress be reduced!</div>
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Stacy Huddle is the mother of 3, step-mom of 3 and grandparent of 3. She retired as a project manager for a environmental laboratory. In her spare time she volunteers with her daughter's high school band. She has been developing websites for over 15 years, both for herself and others. Cooking, sewing, reading and history are just a few of her passions. Reading about history is a double passion! Visit Stacy at <a href="http://huddlenet.com/">Huddlenet.com</a></div>
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Thanks again Stacy!</div>
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<br />Meredithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07510960786007169383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5606185230238584198.post-27604162538059709892014-07-15T06:30:00.000-04:002014-07-15T06:30:00.813-04:0050+ Summer Boredom Busting Ideas & Tuesday Twitter Linky Party #28<h3 style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AsSxgrrStL4/U8R-Qj175gI/AAAAAAAAEUE/gX0KmEVjtcM/s1600/summer+boredom+busters+pic.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="50+ Summer Boredom Busters and Twitter Linky Party! @ATIPicalDay #printables #twitterlinky #kids #parenting #summeractivites #whattodo #boredombusters" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AsSxgrrStL4/U8R-Qj175gI/AAAAAAAAEUE/gX0KmEVjtcM/s1600/summer+boredom+busters+pic.png" height="257" title="50+ Summer Boredom Busters and Twitter Linky Party! @ATIPicalDay #printables #twitterlinky #kids #parenting #summeractivites #whattodo #boredombusters" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">My family didn't make it but maybe three days into our summer vacation and I started to hear, "Mom, I'm bored...there is nothing to do!" </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Seriously, three days! This is rediculous and I will go crazy if I have to listen to it all summer long. So here is a list I am giving my kids. They can't complain to me about having nothing to do unless they have checked off everything on this list! Feel free to <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3cwKLa1AwrLOFFGQVlTbHpTa00/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank">print it</a> for your crew as well! </span></div>
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run in a straight line. Stop running as soon as you have to take a breath, the
person getting the farthest wins)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><img alt="*" height="16" src="file:///C:/Users/MEREDI~1/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image001.gif" width="16" /><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "AR JULIAN"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Watch a movie<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><img alt="*" height="16" src="file:///C:/Users/MEREDI~1/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image001.gif" width="16" /><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "AR JULIAN"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Make a craft<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><img alt="*" height="16" src="file:///C:/Users/MEREDI~1/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image001.gif" width="16" /><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "AR JULIAN"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Color a picture<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><img alt="*" height="16" src="file:///C:/Users/MEREDI~1/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image001.gif" width="16" /><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "AR JULIAN"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Do a puzzle<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><img alt="*" height="16" src="file:///C:/Users/MEREDI~1/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image001.gif" width="16" /><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "AR JULIAN"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Build a fort<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><img alt="*" height="16" src="file:///C:/Users/MEREDI~1/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image001.gif" width="16" /><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "AR JULIAN"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Do your chores<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><img alt="*" height="16" src="file:///C:/Users/MEREDI~1/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image001.gif" width="16" /><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "AR JULIAN"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Play a board game<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><img alt="*" height="16" src="file:///C:/Users/MEREDI~1/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image001.gif" width="16" /><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "AR JULIAN"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Create a board game<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><img alt="*" height="16" src="file:///C:/Users/MEREDI~1/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image001.gif" width="16" /><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "AR JULIAN"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Play charades<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><img alt="*" height="16" src="file:///C:/Users/MEREDI~1/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image001.gif" width="16" /><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "AR JULIAN"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Play kickball<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><img alt="*" height="16" src="file:///C:/Users/MEREDI~1/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image001.gif" width="16" /><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "AR JULIAN"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Play in the sprinkler<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><img alt="*" height="16" src="file:///C:/Users/MEREDI~1/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image001.gif" width="16" /><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "AR JULIAN"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Water the garden<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><img alt="*" height="16" src="file:///C:/Users/MEREDI~1/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image001.gif" width="16" /><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "AR JULIAN"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Play Lego<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><img alt="*" height="16" src="file:///C:/Users/MEREDI~1/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image001.gif" width="16" /><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "AR JULIAN"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Play matchbox cars<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><img alt="*" height="16" src="file:///C:/Users/MEREDI~1/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image001.gif" width="16" /><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "AR JULIAN"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Create a marble maze<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><img alt="*" height="16" src="file:///C:/Users/MEREDI~1/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image001.gif" width="16" /><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "AR JULIAN"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Make a corn whole game<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><img alt="*" height="16" src="file:///C:/Users/MEREDI~1/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image001.gif" width="16" /><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "AR JULIAN"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Build with blocks<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><img alt="*" height="16" src="file:///C:/Users/MEREDI~1/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image001.gif" width="16" /><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "AR JULIAN"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Make a scavenger hunt<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><img alt="*" height="16" src="file:///C:/Users/MEREDI~1/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image001.gif" width="16" /><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "AR JULIAN"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Pick flowers for mom<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><img alt="*" height="16" src="file:///C:/Users/MEREDI~1/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image001.gif" width="16" /><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "AR JULIAN"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Clean under the bed<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><img alt="*" height="16" src="file:///C:/Users/MEREDI~1/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image001.gif" width="16" /><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "AR JULIAN"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Play with Barbie<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><img alt="*" height="16" src="file:///C:/Users/MEREDI~1/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image001.gif" width="16" /><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "AR JULIAN"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Design some new doll clothes using scraps of fabric<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><img alt="*" height="16" src="file:///C:/Users/MEREDI~1/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image001.gif" width="16" /><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "AR JULIAN"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Make a home bowling ally<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><img alt="*" height="16" src="file:///C:/Users/MEREDI~1/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image001.gif" width="16" /><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "AR JULIAN"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Make play dough<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><img alt="*" height="16" src="file:///C:/Users/MEREDI~1/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image001.gif" width="16" /><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "AR JULIAN"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Make a treasure map<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><img alt="*" height="16" src="file:///C:/Users/MEREDI~1/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image001.gif" width="16" /><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "AR JULIAN"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Put up a rope swing<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><img alt="*" height="16" src="file:///C:/Users/MEREDI~1/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image001.gif" width="16" /><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "AR JULIAN"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Build a tree fort<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><img alt="*" height="16" src="file:///C:/Users/MEREDI~1/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image001.gif" width="16" /><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "AR JULIAN"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Weed the flower beds<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><img alt="*" height="16" src="file:///C:/Users/MEREDI~1/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image001.gif" width="16" /><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "AR JULIAN"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Make a terrarium<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><img alt="*" height="16" src="file:///C:/Users/MEREDI~1/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image001.gif" width="16" /><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "AR JULIAN"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Make mud pies<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><img alt="*" height="16" src="file:///C:/Users/MEREDI~1/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image001.gif" width="16" /><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "AR JULIAN"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Create your own slip and slide<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><img alt="*" height="16" src="file:///C:/Users/MEREDI~1/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image001.gif" width="16" /><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "AR JULIAN"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Ride your bike<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><img alt="*" height="16" src="file:///C:/Users/MEREDI~1/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image001.gif" width="16" /><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "AR JULIAN"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Roller skate<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><img alt="*" height="16" src="file:///C:/Users/MEREDI~1/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image001.gif" width="16" /><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "AR JULIAN"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Play with sidewalk chalk<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><img alt="*" height="16" src="file:///C:/Users/MEREDI~1/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image001.gif" width="16" /><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "AR JULIAN"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Make a kite<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><img alt="*" height="16" src="file:///C:/Users/MEREDI~1/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image001.gif" width="16" /><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "AR JULIAN"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Donate some of your toys<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><img alt="*" height="16" src="file:///C:/Users/MEREDI~1/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image001.gif" width="16" /><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "AR JULIAN"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Play hopscotch<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><img alt="*" height="16" src="file:///C:/Users/MEREDI~1/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image001.gif" width="16" /><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "AR JULIAN"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Play foursquare<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><img alt="*" height="16" src="file:///C:/Users/MEREDI~1/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image001.gif" width="16" /><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "AR JULIAN"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Use old Halloween costumes and put on a play<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><img alt="*" height="16" src="file:///C:/Users/MEREDI~1/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image001.gif" width="16" /><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "AR JULIAN"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Make sock puppets<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><img alt="*" height="16" src="file:///C:/Users/MEREDI~1/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image001.gif" width="16" /><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "AR JULIAN"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Make up a puppet show (use stuffed animals if you
don’t have puppets)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><img alt="*" height="16" src="file:///C:/Users/MEREDI~1/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image001.gif" width="16" /><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "AR JULIAN"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Go to the park<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><img alt="*" height="16" src="file:///C:/Users/MEREDI~1/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image001.gif" width="16" /><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "AR JULIAN"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Go for a walk<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><img alt="*" height="16" src="file:///C:/Users/MEREDI~1/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image001.gif" width="16" /><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "AR JULIAN"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Climb a tree<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><img alt="*" height="16" src="file:///C:/Users/MEREDI~1/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image001.gif" width="16" /><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "AR JULIAN"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Take a nap<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><img alt="*" height="16" src="file:///C:/Users/MEREDI~1/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image001.gif" width="16" /><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "AR JULIAN"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Play follow the leader<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><img alt="*" height="16" src="file:///C:/Users/MEREDI~1/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image001.gif" width="16" /><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "AR JULIAN"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Make your own comic book<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><img alt="*" height="16" src="file:///C:/Users/MEREDI~1/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image001.gif" width="16" /><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "AR JULIAN"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Make a loom bracelet<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><img alt="*" height="16" src="file:///C:/Users/MEREDI~1/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image001.gif" width="16" /><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "AR JULIAN"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Make a funny video<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><img alt="*" height="16" src="file:///C:/Users/MEREDI~1/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image001.gif" width="16" /><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "AR JULIAN"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Take a silly picture<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><img alt="*" height="16" src="file:///C:/Users/MEREDI~1/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image001.gif" width="16" /><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "AR JULIAN"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Build a pushcart</span></div>
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<span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "AR JULIAN"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3cwKLa1AwrLOFFGQVlTbHpTa00/edit?usp=sharing" rel="nofollow" style="text-indent: -0.25in;" target="_blank">Printable List</a></h3>
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Welcome to the The Ultimate Linky's Twitter Party!</h3>
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Thanks for coming and linking up here to the Twitter Linky Party! You can come back here every week on Tuesday for this whole summer to get more followers on twitter! Our goal is to grow this party so that there will be new people linking up every week so that you can continue to get new followers!
There are two linkies in this party! You can do just one or both linkies if you wish. On the first linky, you will link up your Twitter URL for your Twitter account so that you can be followed. On the second linky, link up the URL of a tweet you would like to be retweeted.
Please follow me and Tammy from The Ultimate Linky on Twitter, add the button to your sidebar or party page, and then link up and follow the directions for who to follow/retweet! If you are the last three to link up, your links will be manually added to the beginning of next week's link-up so that you get your follows. You can always follow more if you decide to! We also would love any shares that you could give to help spread the word about this party!
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You can also link up one tweet that you would like to have re-tweeted. This is the same concept as above except you only have to tweet the two links above yours. I will make sure I tweet the last link(s).
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Meredithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07510960786007169383noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5606185230238584198.post-3474642106581334852014-07-13T16:43:00.000-04:002014-07-13T16:43:42.039-04:00T.F.J. #30 - Being a Proverbs 31 Woman vs. 23 - Married to a King<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PNWwlvXYohU/UTO1qcqILWI/AAAAAAAAARE/gpvE28QymQM/s1600/faith+journey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Faith Journey #30 - Being a Proverbs 31 Woman verse 23 - Do you treat your husband as though he is a king? @ATIPicalDay #faith #devotional #QueenEsther #Proverbs31 #marriageenrichment" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PNWwlvXYohU/UTO1qcqILWI/AAAAAAAAARE/gpvE28QymQM/s1600/faith+journey.jpg" height="266" title="The Faith Journey #30 - Being a Proverbs 31 Woman verse 23 - Do you treat your husband as though he is a king? @ATIPicalDay #faith #devotional #QueenEsther #Proverbs31 #marriageenrichment" width="400" /></a></div>
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I had not originally planned to post a Faith Journey today, but our vacation was cut short due to power outages. It was indeed a bummer, but I am grateful for a treasured time with my family, and we really enjoyed our "stay"cation once we returned back home. I will be sharing more about our trip in the next few weeks.</div>
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<i><b>"Her husband is respected at the city gate,</b></i></div>
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<i><b> where he takes his seat among the elders of the land." - Proverbs 31:23 (NIV)</b></i></div>
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When I first read this verse, I thought, Oh I should just skip this one. What can I possibly say about it? However as I prayed over it, a few thoughts came to mind for me to share. Obviously from this verse, the Proverbs 31 woman is married to a man of great importance. While the verse does not come right out and say it, I feel the focus still remains on the Proverbs 31 woman.</div>
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Reading this I am reminded of another biblical woman. Her name is Hadassah but she is better known as Queen Esther and her story can be found in the book of Esther. </div>
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If you are not familiar with her story, please take a few moments to go read it. As it is truly fascinating. </div>
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Returning to my thoughts on why this verse reminds me of Esther, she is a virtuous young woman whom strongly resembles that of the Proverbs 31 woman. Esther was named queen when an arrogant and foolish Queen Vashti had the gall to publicly tell her husband, "no" when he summoned for her. As a result she was striped of her royal name and it was given to Esther. Queen Esther whom is best known for being the savior of the Jewish people, showed honor and respect to her husband through her actions. There was a time when her actions may have been mistaken for disrespect, but her manner of doing it was such that her husband took great joy in her and rewarded her as a result.</div>
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So what does this have to do with us? I am not married to a king, however I can still treat my husband as if he were one. How would your treatment of your husband be different if he were the ruler of a country or a great noble man? Would you be more respectful, more obedient, less of a nag? I imagine that I would, at least publicly. Do you often see the first lady or a princess trash her spouse? Not usually. What goes on behind closed doors may be another story, but to the public eye they give the picture of a perfect marriage, as well as their full support. </div>
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Isn't that what marriage is about? Shouldn't we always be giving our spouse our full support? Shouldn't we be working to help them stay focused on their goals? </div>
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What would you say if your husband came home and said, "honey, I have decided I want to be a missionary in Africa. We are going to move the whole family there in just a few months."? I believe most of us would say, "heck no..."</div>
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Is that wrong? Yes! Folks, we need to honor and respect our husbands. Now granted he should be doing the same and hopefully there would be some prayer time as a family to see if this is the direction God is really leading you, but if there wasn't would you be able to respect his decision, to trust that he has your children and your best interests at heart and to support him fully? I believe that for most women in this age of independent thinking, this concept is an extremely difficult pill to swallow. </div>
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So for today lets start small. Work on telling and showing your husband you love him daily. Allow others to see the great respect and esteem in which you hold him. Be supportive of his interest. Encourage him to go play golf with his buddies or to watch a football game in peace.</div>
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If your marriage is not in a good place right now, you may find this extremely difficult. Don't wait for him to start showing kindness to you. Be the one to hold out the olive branch and begin working on your marriage by showing him a little love and kindness each and every day. This whole journey is about baby steps. You have to start somewhere. </div>
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Finally, be sure that you are praying...you should be praying for your spouse daily anyway. We started that habit months ago, but make sure that you are continuing to do that. Dependence on the Lord will make you a much stronger woman in the end.</div>
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<br />Meredithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07510960786007169383noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5606185230238584198.post-4622224701366283882014-07-08T06:30:00.000-04:002014-07-08T06:30:02.343-04:00Twitter Tuesday Linky Party #27<h3 style="text-align: center;">
Welcome to the The Ultimate Linky's Twitter Party!</h3>
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Did you have a great holiday weekend? My family went to see some really great fireworks in Williamsport, PA. It is a family tradition and they are fabulous every year. What did you do to celebrate?</div>
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We are not cruising through July and I can hardly believe that it is already time for another Tuesday Twitter Party! Thanks for coming each week and linking up! I am really enjoying Co-Hosting the party! You can come back here every week on Tuesday for this whole summer to get more followers on Twitter! Our goal is to grow this party so that there will be new people linking up every week so that you can continue to get new followers!
There are two linkies in this party! You can do just one or both linkies if you wish. On the first linky, you will link up your Twitter URL for your Twitter account so that you can be followed. On the second linky, link up the URL of a tweet you would like to be retweeted.
Please follow me and Tammy from The Ultimate Linky on Twitter, add the button to your sidebar or party page, and then link up and follow the directions for who to follow/retweet! If you are the last three to link up, your links will be manually added to the beginning of next week's link-up so that you get your follows. You can always follow more if you decide to! We also would love any shares that you could give to help spread the word about this party!
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Meredithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07510960786007169383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5606185230238584198.post-34832533077123861022014-07-01T06:00:00.000-04:002014-07-01T06:00:09.356-04:00Twitter Tuesday Linky Party #26<div style="text-align: center;">
Forth of July is this week! Are you ready to celebrate? Do you need some PINspiration? I have tons of patriotic pins for you! Be sure to come follow my boards.</div>
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<a data-pin-board-width="400" data-pin-do="embedBoard" data-pin-scale-height="200" data-pin-scale-width="80" href="http://www.pinterest.com/ATIPicalday/patriotic-crafts/">Follow ATIPicalDay's board Patriotic - Crafts on Pinterest.</a> <!-- Please call pinit.js only once per page --><script async="" src="//assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js" type="text/javascript"></script><a data-pin-board-width="400" data-pin-do="embedBoard" data-pin-scale-height="200" data-pin-scale-width="80" href="http://www.pinterest.com/ATIPicalday/patriotic-decorations/">Follow ATIPicalDay's board Patriotic - Decorations on Pinterest.</a> <a data-pin-board-width="400" data-pin-do="embedBoard" data-pin-scale-height="200" data-pin-scale-width="80" href="http://www.pinterest.com/ATIPicalday/patriotic-food/">Follow ATIPicalDay's board Patriotic - Food on Pinterest.</a> <a data-pin-board-width="400" data-pin-do="embedBoard" data-pin-scale-height="200" data-pin-scale-width="80" href="http://www.pinterest.com/ATIPicalday/patriotic-kids/">Follow ATIPicalDay's board Patriotic - Kids on Pinterest.</a></div>
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Welcome to the The Ultimate Linky's Twitter Party!</h3>
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Please follow me and Tammy from The Ultimate Linky on Twitter, add the button to your sidebar or party page, and then link up and follow the directions for who to follow/retweet! If you are the last three to link up, your links will be manually added to the beginning of next week's link-up so that you get your follows. You can always follow more if you decide to! We also would love any shares that you could give to help spread the word about this party!
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<br />Meredithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07510960786007169383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5606185230238584198.post-6329605424137223922014-06-26T08:00:00.000-04:002014-06-26T08:00:08.346-04:00A Keeper At Home or a Children's Entertainer: Which are you?<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
I am so excited to share this guest post with you today! I meet Amanda some time ago through a blogging Facebook group. I really enjoy her writing and appreciate Amanda's perspective on life. When I sent out a request for guest bloggers Amanda volunteered and I squealed with glee! Thank you Amanda, for taking the time to write for my readers! I know they are going to love you as much as I do! Please be sure to go follow Amanda's blog <a href="http://quietworkings.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Quiet Workings</a>. </div>
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<b>A Keeper At Home
or a </b><b>Children's Entertainer</b>: <o:p></o:p></div>
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<u>Which
Are You?</u><o:p></o:p></div>
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I
wanted to do this mothering thing right.
I wanted to be the perfect mom, the mom who has it all together. The one who takes her children on play dates
and to the park. The one who comes up
with amazing craft ideas and is patient with a 2 year old while others are
pulling out their hair. (Haha, have you
met me? Sigh...pipe dreams my friends)<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M4uHbsOrzFw/U6q43h521rI/AAAAAAAAEQs/Wj7HFIIz0hI/s1600/amanda.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Family picture for Guest Post by Amanda @ quietworkings.com - A Keeper At Home or a Children's Entertainer: Which are you? @ATIPicalDay #homemaker #childen #proverbs31 #titus2 #parenting #biblicalparenting" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M4uHbsOrzFw/U6q43h521rI/AAAAAAAAEQs/Wj7HFIIz0hI/s1600/amanda.jpg" height="640" title="Guest Post by Amanda @ quietworkings.com - A Keeper At Home or a Children's Entertainer: Which are you? @ATIPicalDay #homemaker #childen #proverbs31 #titus2 #parenting #biblicalparenting" width="480" /></a></div>
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Now,
as luck would have it, apparently society was on my side. I had women telling me it's okay not to wash
your floors, they'll still be there when your children are older. Laundry's not folded? No worries, it's just going to be worn again
and thrown back in the wash anyway. You
don't want to miss out on the best years of your children's lives. They're only here for a short time and then
you'll regret all that time you didn't spend with them.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9yKLQY9VVt8/U6q5boi6QXI/AAAAAAAAEQ0/p4DO7Py-rhA/s1600/amanda+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="I didn't have to justify my actions, everyone else was doing it for me." border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9yKLQY9VVt8/U6q5boi6QXI/AAAAAAAAEQ0/p4DO7Py-rhA/s1600/amanda+1.jpg" height="114" title="I didn't have to justify my actions, everyone else was doing it for me." width="640" /></a></div>
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One
day I began to think about how women 100 years ago handled this. Even 50 years ago! They kept their homes for their
husbands. They had pride in a clean home. Yes, I'm sure (positive) that they spent time
with their children, but it was in teaching them how to care for their own
homes. Children spent a lot more time
amusing themselves than in being entertained by an adult. In fact, listening to stories from older
folks, it sounds like they didn't entertain their children at all. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Then I began looking at my own childhood
and memories of my mother. I have never
heard her say that she regrets how much/how little time she spent with us as
children, and yet, I don't have any distinct memories of her “playing” with my
siblings and I (though I do remember that our house was spotless). She read to us. I can remember us snuggled up around her
while she read stories, and that is one memory I cherish. I remember as we got older she taught us to
play badminton. She helped us put
together jigsaw puzzles on family vacations, and took us for walks. She did not, however, entertain us. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I
distinctly remember a craft box under my mother's desk in our basement. She would throw toilet paper rolls, meat
trays, discarded paper, etc into with scissors, tape, and glue and when we were
bored that's where we went. She sewed
clothes for my barbies so that I could play dress-up even though we couldn't
afford to buy the manufactured ones.
BUT, she handed me those things and left me to play on my own. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Then
I decided to see what the Bible said.
And as I studied Scripture, the Proverb's 31 woman figured quite
prominently. I looked at what she did,
and while I am sure she did all manner of crafty things (sewing, dyeing
clothes, etc) she also made sure her house was clean. There is never any mention of her playing in
the dirt with her children (which she may have done, the Bible doesn't say, but
it's not what made her special). There
is no mention of dates out with her husband (which we all need, time and again,
but which shouldn't be our focus). <o:p></o:p></div>
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Instead,
the Bible tells us how she made sure that her house was ready. Yes, she has servants (maidens) that probably
did the house work for her and, if you can afford it, I say go for it! But she cooked all the meals...and back then that
took up a lot of time. So, besides all
the things she did to help her husband with the financial side of things
(making clothes, etc), she kept up with all the housework as well. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Interestingly,
Titus 2:5 shows that being a “keeper at home” is part of our calling as
women. I'm not saying you can't work
outside the home. I'm saying that our
job is to make sure - whether we have 9 children and homeschool 5 of them, or
have no children and stay at home, or are a work-at-home mom, or have a
full-time job - that our house is being “kept”.
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-font-family: "Liberation Serif";">I think,
as a society, we have bought into the notion that we need to entertain our
children. And we've forgotten that we
were created to be our husband's helpmeet.
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I
have felt this need in my own life, as I stated above. I found myself getting so bogged down
entertaining my child that I failed to see that other areas in my life were
being neglected. My house was a shambles
and my relationship with my husband didn't exist because we spent all our time
entertaining our children.<o:p></o:p></div>
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This
spring, we moved into a house and I made a decision. My children needed to learn to entertain
themselves so that I could learn to be a Keeper at Home. My son had learned to live on TV because
that was the only way to keep him quiet in our 3<sup>rd</sup> floor
apartment. He is now being weaned off of
it. It is an amazing day when I can tell
my husband that the TV hasn't even been on once. And our son's active behavior is infinitely
better when he hasn't spent time in front of that fast-paced
entertainment. Do I spend time with
him? I certainly do. He's only 2 and can't be outside by himself
so, when he goes outside, so do I. I
play with him for a bit and then I sit on the deck with my almost-10-month old
while he plays by himself. At breakfast we talk about his Sunday school lesson
and go over his verse and after lunch we sit together and colour for a bit
before he naps. The rest of the time he
needs to learn to amuse himself without getting into trouble. And he can!
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It's
a blessing to see my children playing together.
It's rewarding to see them playing with the toys that used to sit unused
in their toy bins. And it's extremely
exciting to see my son develop an imagination as he plays with his toys or
marches around our yard with a stick for a sword. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Are you a Keeper At Home or a Children's
Entertainer? Will you join me this
summer in finding a healthy balance between the two?<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-D8_Oc-Kk-xI/U6q5uyPDG1I/AAAAAAAAEQ8/M-jiRkaAMKc/s1600/amanda+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Amanda @ Quietworkings.com" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-D8_Oc-Kk-xI/U6q5uyPDG1I/AAAAAAAAEQ8/M-jiRkaAMKc/s1600/amanda+2.jpg" height="200" title="Amanda @ Quietworkings.com" width="134" /></a></div>
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Amanda worked as a full-time school teacher for
two years before getting married and having two wonderful kids. She blogs about faith, family, food, and
fun. While crafting takes up a lot of
her extra time, Amanda also strives to help others through ministry in her
church and in the community. Amanda,
also known as Mae, works as the church music director and is hoping to start
tutoring and teaching music again in the days to come.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Thank you Amanda for that beautiful and inspiring post! I know I need to do a better job of finding a balance! How about you?</div>
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<br />Meredithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07510960786007169383noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5606185230238584198.post-15497600744309022142014-06-24T06:00:00.000-04:002014-06-24T06:00:06.573-04:00Twitter Tuesday Linky Party #25<div style="text-align: center;">
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Welcome to the The Ultimate Linky's Twitter Party!</h3>
Hello and welcome back! Thanks for coming and linking up here to the Twitter Linky Party! You can come back here every week on Tuesday for this whole summer to get more followers on Twitter! Our goal is to grow this party so that there will be new people linking up every week so that you can continue to get new followers!
There are two linkies in this party! You can do just one or both linkies if you wish. On the first linky, you will link up your Twitter URL for your Twitter account so that you can be followed. On the second linky, link up the URL of a tweet you would like to be retweeted.
Please follow me and Tammy from The Ultimate Linky on Twitter, add the button to your sidebar or party page, and then link up and follow the directions for who to follow/retweet! If you are the last three to link up, your links will be manually added to the beginning of next week's link-up so that you get your follows. You can always follow more if you decide to! We also would love any shares that you could give to help spread the word about this party!
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You can also link up one tweet that you would like to have re-tweeted. This is the same concept as above except you only have to tweet the two links above yours. I will make sure I tweet the last link(s).
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<br />Meredithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07510960786007169383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5606185230238584198.post-857842858775556422014-06-22T23:12:00.000-04:002014-06-22T23:12:45.957-04:00T.F.J. #29 - Being a Proverbs 31 Woman vs. 22<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-divYs-56a8g/UT1TFzqvsKI/AAAAAAAAAVo/71_j3HE06p8/s1600/faith+journey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Faith Journal #29 - Being a Proverbs 31 Woman vs. 22 @ATIPicalDay #faith #devotional #biblestudy #Proverbs31woman #marriageenrichment" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-divYs-56a8g/UT1TFzqvsKI/AAAAAAAAAVo/71_j3HE06p8/s1600/faith+journey.jpg" height="266" title="The Faith Journal #29 - Being a Proverbs 31 Woman vs. 22 @ATIPicalDay #faith #devotional #biblestudy #Proverbs31woman #marriageenrichment" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>"She makes coverings for her bed;</i></div>
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<i> she is clothed in fine linen and purple." - Proverbs 31:22 (NIV)</i></div>
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Looking at the clock I sigh. Hubby will be home from work in half an hour and I still am in my pajama's. I glance in the mirror and can see huge bags under my eyes, and my hair is matted into a messy bun. I do a quick sniff check and think, "<i>Man, I need a shower!</i>" I look at the clock again and try to decide if it is more important to get cleaned up, or start dinner. Knowing that my husband will come in the door hungry I decide I better go take care of that first.</div>
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Thirty minutes later he strolls in the door. I am standing in the kitchen stirring the sauce in the pot. He takes one look at me and shakes his head. I can tell he disapproves of my appearance, and I can't blame him! I am a mess! I wouldn't want to come home to me either. </div>
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Later he says something to me about not having changed all day, getting defensive I start to try to defend myself. I know that I really don't have a good excuse. The truth is that I just didn't do it. I could have taken 3 minutes to get dressed but I didn't. I was comfortable and didn't have to go anywhere, so I just stayed the way I was. Looking into my husband's gentle blue eyes, I know that I have started to slip back into some bad habits and I don't want to go there again.</div>
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Between our second and third sons, I suffered a miscarriage and was devastated. Dressing and taking care of myself suddenly took a backseat to my daily chores and children. It wasn't important or so I told myself. Even though my dear husband never came right out and said that he wished I would look presentable when he got home, he would hint at it.</div>
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One day, roughly about three years ago, I began to realize that 1) I was setting a poor example for my children, and 2) I was not honoring the Lord nor my husband with my actions. </div>
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I felt frumpy and overweight. It didn't matter what I put on, nothing I owned fit right and I was no longer comfortable in my own skin. This reality made me want to go run and hide under the covering (and comfort) of my bathrobe. Guilt started to eat at me about the way I was treating myself and my family. I wanted my husband to be able to come home to the woman he married, not this sad shadow of someone that use to be her. I certainly wasn't making it easy for him to be married to me. </div>
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I have never doubted for one second that my husband was anything other than completely devoted to me and our marriage, but I was sure opening the door for him to find reasons not to be. </div>
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Once this realization set in, I knew that I needed to make a change. I started to make sure that I got dressed as soon as I got out of bed. While I didn't always put makeup on, I would at least brush my hair in the morning, brush my teeth, and wash my face. I worked hard at loosing weight and bought some new clothes that fit me a little better. Slowly my confidence began to return and with it a sense of relief.</div>
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Before I started to type tonight, I asked the Lord to reveal to me what I needed to learn. As I did, a wave of emotion washed over me as I realized that I have allowed some old habits and feelings about myself to return. I have a need to feel pretty and feminine. It is a need that is given to me as a woman.</div>
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The Proverbs 31 woman is well dressed. She wears clothing that are fit for royalty. Her grand appearance is feminine and pleasing to her husband. It shows her ability to care for herself. This seems to be a reoccurring theme through this chapter. Hmm maybe I should take a hint! </div>
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Something else to note is the word "clothed". This should serve as a reminder that modesty is beautiful. Amanda at <a href="http://quietworkings.com/dressing-intentionally/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Quiet Workings</a> wrote a great series about this not too long ago. Be sure to go check it out when you are done here.</div>
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You may be reading this and never have experienced what I am talking about, and that is a wonderful. However I believe that every woman has suffered from some type of insecurity or self doubt at some point. </div>
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If you struggle with this like I do, work on getting up and getting dressed every day. When I say get dressed, I mean company ready dressed, NOT your grubby shorts with paint stains and your "best mom" t-shirt. I would even say go so far as to tap your inner Joan Clever and put on a set of pearls and a dress. Really surprise your spouse by looking your best when he gets home! If you feel silly doing it, make a special dinner so you have an occasion for it. If your not married, you should still be putting your best self forward. You are a bride of Christ and so honor him with the beautiful and unique design He created for you. Find times where you can dress up and look pretty.</div>
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I know that my husband loves me no matter what I wear or how much weight I gain. As his wife though, I want to be a pleasing sight for him. I want him to look forward to coming home to me, and I must take care of myself in order for that to happen.</div>
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Am I the only one who struggles with this? If you do, would you share your story with me so that I may pray for you?</div>
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Did you miss the rest of this series? Get caught up!</div>
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<a href="http://tipicalday.blogspot.com/2014/02/the-faith-journey-15-being-proverbs-31.html" target="_blank">Being a Proverbs 31 Woman in Today's Culture</a></div>
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<a href="http://tipicalday.blogspot.com/2014/02/the-faith-journey-16-proverbs-31-woman.html" target="_blank">Being a Proverbs 31 Woman Vs. 10</a></div>
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<span class="text Prov-31-18" style="position: relative;"><span class="text Jas-1-5" style="text-align: start;"></span></span></div>
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<a href="http://tipicalday.blogspot.com/2014/02/the-faith-journey-17-being-proverbs-31.html" target="_blank">Being a Proverbs 31 Woman Vs. 11</a><br />
<a href="http://tipicalday.blogspot.com/2014/02/welcome-back-to-faith-journey.html" target="_blank">Being a Proverbs 31 Woman Vs. 12</a><br />
<a href="http://tipicalday.blogspot.com/2014/03/the-faith-journey-19-being-proverbs-31.html" target="_blank">Being a Proverbs 31 Woman Vs. 13</a><br />
<a href="http://tipicalday.blogspot.com/2014/03/the-faith-journey-20-being-proverbs-31.html" target="_blank">Being a Proverbs 31 Woman Vs. 14</a><br />
<a href="http://tipicalday.blogspot.com/2014/03/the-faith-journey-21-being-proverb-31.html" target="_blank">Being a Proverbs 31 Woman Vs. 15</a><br />
<a href="http://www.atipicalday.com/2014/03/the-faith-journey-22-being-proverbs-31.html" target="_blank">Being a Proverbs 31 Woman Vs. 16</a><br />
<a href="http://www.atipicalday.com/2014/04/the-faith-journey-23-being-proverbs-31.html" target="_blank">Being a Proverbs 31 Woman Vs. 17</a><br />
<a href="http://www.atipicalday.com/2014/04/the-faith-journey-24-verses-1-17-review.html" target="_blank">Being a Proverbs 31 Woman Review - Vs. 1-17</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.atipicalday.com/2014/05/being-proverbs-31-woman-vs-18.html" target="_blank">Being a Proverbs 31 Woman Vs. 18</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.atipicalday.com/2014/05/being-proverbs-31-woman-vs-19-leading.html" target="_blank">Being a Proverbs 31 Woman Vs. 19</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.atipicalday.com/2014/05/being-proverbs-31-woman-vs-20.html" target="_blank">Being a Proverbs 31 Woman vs. 20</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.atipicalday.com/2014/06/being-proverbs-31-woman-vs-21.html">Being a Proverbs 31 Woman Vs. 21</a></div>
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<br />Meredithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07510960786007169383noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5606185230238584198.post-54058568604604090192014-06-21T00:00:00.000-04:002014-06-21T00:00:00.220-04:00One Day Sale at Janie and Jack Coupon Code<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=603430&u=757717&m=46239&urllink=&afftrack=" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Janie and Jack 1 Day sale! #childrenclothing #heirloomclothing #couponcodes #janieandjack" border="0" src="http://www.shareasale.com/image/46239/JJ_050914_Spring1_MDs_v4_728x90.jpg" height="79" title="Janie and Jack 1 Day sale! #childrenclothing #heirloomclothing #couponcodes #janieandjack" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i>* This is a sponsored post and contains affiliate links. Purchases made through this post will result in a small commission to me.</i></div>
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Not to long ago I discovered Janie and Jack. I was blown away by the sweetest children's clothing with beautiful detailing like hand embroidery and smocking. It reminded me of the heirloom treasures my grandmother made for us as children. The fine fabrics and lovely colors make the brand even more appealing. The online store carries boys and girls clothing from birth up to size 12.</div>
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My youngest is now two, but I still couldn't stop myself from perusing the layette section. What can I say, I am a sucker for baby clothes! One of my favorite things in this section are the tiny little shoes! ADORABLE!</div>
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If you are expecting or have recently had a baby, I promise you, their layette section is going to leave you saying, "Awe, I want to get that!" </div>
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Being the mother of 3 boys, I sometimes find it difficult to find boys clothing that is cute. Everything is always the same, just in different colors. It really gets boring after awhile. I was amazed by the variety in the selection for boys at Janie and Jack. Once again, I found that the accessories they offered to go with the clothing where to adorable to pass up!</div>
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For my little princesses, I found some really cute dresses. They look age appropriate which I really appreciate from this company. It bothers me when little girls are dressed like teenagers, and you won't find anything like that here.</div>
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Now it is time for you to go check them out! Below is a link with a coupon code! It is good for June 21st only! You can use to get a 25% discount on all regular priced items. Let's go shopping!</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.333333969116211px; text-align: left;"> </span><a href="http://www.shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=617087&u=757717&m=46239&urllink=&afftrack=" style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.333333969116211px; text-align: left;" target="_blank">One day only! 25% off at Janie and Jack with code SUNNY25!</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=538854&u=757717&m=46239&urllink=&afftrack=" target="_blank"><img alt="Janie and Jack 1 Day sale! #childrenclothing #heirloomclothing #couponcodes #janieandjack" border="0" src="http://www.shareasale.com/image/46239/JJ_BannerAd_300x250.jpg" title="Janie and Jack 1 Day sale! #childrenclothing #heirloomclothing #couponcodes #janieandjack" /></a>
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Meredithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07510960786007169383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5606185230238584198.post-50045395836681032612014-06-20T12:26:00.001-04:002014-06-20T12:27:49.374-04:00Designing A Kid's Backyard Paradise<div class="postpresso-article" data-article-id="872">
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I love getting my kids outside to play! I sometimes feel like I have to bribe them just to get them away from the TV! This spring we got them a trampoline and it has gone a long way for encouraging them to play outside! I am so glad that we got it! It has been the hit of every party and friend they have had over this summer. I have been trying to think of other ideas to encourage my little ones out into the great outdoors. Here are some ideas I rounded up that could turn my back yard into a kid's paradise!</div>
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Propel Trampolines 15' Enclosed Trampoline with Anchor Kit</h4>
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<a data-postpresso-clickable="true" href="http://salesbump.pgpartner.com/rd.php?pg=~~10&r=883&z=20001&m=852767289&mt=1~1~299.99~299.99~299.99~~~salesbump_3-aKcpCzqKH8_XyQWb3HLA~y~~~~~&q=n&rdgt=1403277576&search=trampolines&dl=1&source=xmlapi&request_id=6218909cf0fffe0679267368d4226d1a&ret=1403277576&k=b80d4e7f6cd6d76926f65f2f77fb5e2b" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img alt="Girl jumping on a enclosed trampoline - #trampoline #backyardfun #kidsoutdoor #jumping #exercise" src="http://s3.amazonaws.com/postpresso_images_prod/5609/852767289_260.jpg?1403277617" /></a>
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Not only do trampolines provide endless amounts of entertainment, they are offer an amazing workout! (I admit I enjoy using it as much as my kids do!)<br />
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<a href="http://salesbump.pgpartner.com/rd.php?pg=~~10&r=883&z=20001&m=852767289&mt=1~1~299.99~299.99~299.99~~~salesbump_3-aKcpCzqKH8_XyQWb3HLA~y~~~~~&q=n&rdgt=1403277576&search=trampolines&dl=1&source=xmlapi&request_id=6218909cf0fffe0679267368d4226d1a&ret=1403277576&k=b80d4e7f6cd6d76926f65f2f77fb5e2b" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Propel Trampolines 15' Enclosed Trampoline with Anchor Kit</a> - $299.99, 176.75 shipping - Available at <a href="http://salesbump.pgpartner.com/rd.php?pg=~~10&r=883&z=20001&m=852767289&mt=1~1~299.99~299.99~299.99~~~salesbump_3-aKcpCzqKH8_XyQWb3HLA~y~~~~~&q=n&rdgt=1403277576&search=trampolines&dl=1&source=xmlapi&request_id=6218909cf0fffe0679267368d4226d1a&ret=1403277576&k=b80d4e7f6cd6d76926f65f2f77fb5e2b" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sears.com</a><br />
<img src="http://i.pgcdn.com/images/rating_5_newr.gif" /> (1 reviews)</div>
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Blue Ridge Chateau II Swing Set</h4>
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<a data-postpresso-clickable="true" href="http://salesbump.pgpartner.com/rd.php?pg=~~9&r=5316&m=30808414&mt=1~1~1950.98~1950.98~1950.98~~~salesbump_3-aKcpCzqKH8_XyQWb3HLA~n~~~~~&q=n&rdgt=1403279062&search=swing+set&dl=1&source=xmlapi&request_id=7f30744303dfdac47119c854e37c2f5b&ret=1403279062&k=e6abd3bc3d9699859239a30c66625a3d" rel="nofollow" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="children playing on a wooden swingset #swingset #slide #climbingwall #outdoorfun" src="http://s3.amazonaws.com/postpresso_images_prod/5614/30808414_260.jpg?1403279069" /></a></div>
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My kids would love this swing set! It has climbing walls and a slide for my boys, swings and a play house for my girls. Everyone would be happy with this one!<br />
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<a data-postpresso-clickable="true" href="http://salesbump.pgpartner.com/rd.php?pg=~~9&r=5316&m=30808414&mt=1~1~1950.98~1950.98~1950.98~~~salesbump_3-aKcpCzqKH8_XyQWb3HLA~n~~~~~&q=n&rdgt=1403279062&search=swing+set&dl=1&source=xmlapi&request_id=7f30744303dfdac47119c854e37c2f5b&ret=1403279062&k=e6abd3bc3d9699859239a30c66625a3d" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Blue Ridge Chateau II Swing Set</a> - $1950.98, Free shipping - Available at <a data-postpresso-clickable="true" href="http://salesbump.pgpartner.com/rd.php?pg=~~9&r=5316&m=30808414&mt=1~1~1950.98~1950.98~1950.98~~~salesbump_3-aKcpCzqKH8_XyQWb3HLA~n~~~~~&q=n&rdgt=1403279062&search=swing+set&dl=1&source=xmlapi&request_id=7f30744303dfdac47119c854e37c2f5b&ret=1403279062&k=e6abd3bc3d9699859239a30c66625a3d" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Amazon.com Marketplace</a><br />
<img src="http://i.pgcdn.com/images/rating_4_5_newr.gif" /> (46 reviews)</div>
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<div class="clearfix product-widget" data-product-widget-id="5615">
<h4>
Above Ground Pool 8 Section Fence Kit Multicolor - NE145 SNX333</h4>
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<a data-postpresso-clickable="true" href="http://salesbump.pgpartner.com/rd.php?pg=~~10&r=402&m=785829109&mt=1~1~193.72~193.72~193.72~~~salesbump_3-aKcpCzqKH8_XyQWb3HLA~y~~~~~&q=n&rdgt=1403279295&search=pools&dl=1&source=xmlapi&request_id=537e0ae914fdd3b122d3f1b48b778861&ret=1403279295&k=c5cb84c7fd0f58b2923f21e01ccf9ff2" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img alt="Above ground pool with fence #abovegroundpool #swimming #summerfun #outdoorparadise" src="http://s3.amazonaws.com/postpresso_images_prod/5615/785829109_260.jpg?1403279309" /></a>
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A backyard paradise would not be complete without a pool! I love that this one has a small ridge all the way around with fencing!<br />
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<a data-postpresso-clickable="true" href="http://salesbump.pgpartner.com/rd.php?pg=~~10&r=402&m=785829109&mt=1~1~193.72~193.72~193.72~~~salesbump_3-aKcpCzqKH8_XyQWb3HLA~y~~~~~&q=n&rdgt=1403279295&search=pools&dl=1&source=xmlapi&request_id=537e0ae914fdd3b122d3f1b48b778861&ret=1403279295&k=c5cb84c7fd0f58b2923f21e01ccf9ff2" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Above Ground Pool 8 Section Fence Kit Multicolor - NE145 SNX333</a> - $193.72, Free shipping - Available at <a data-postpresso-clickable="true" href="http://salesbump.pgpartner.com/rd.php?pg=~~10&r=402&m=785829109&mt=1~1~193.72~193.72~193.72~~~salesbump_3-aKcpCzqKH8_XyQWb3HLA~y~~~~~&q=n&rdgt=1403279295&search=pools&dl=1&source=xmlapi&request_id=537e0ae914fdd3b122d3f1b48b778861&ret=1403279295&k=c5cb84c7fd0f58b2923f21e01ccf9ff2" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Amazon.com</a><br />
<img src="http://i.pgcdn.com/images/rating_4_5_newr.gif" /> (3 reviews)</div>
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<div class="clearfix product-widget" data-product-widget-id="5616">
<h4>
Basket 99895 Covered Convertible Cedar Sandbox w/Canopy and Two Bench Seats, Brown 99895</h4>
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<a data-postpresso-clickable="true" href="http://salesbump.pgpartner.com/rd.php?pg=~~9&r=1203&m=1029551623&mt=2~2~215.93~162.40~189.17~~~salesbump_3-aKcpCzqKH8_XyQWb3HLA~n~~~~~&q=n&rdgt=1403279530&search=sandboxes&dl=1&source=xmlapi&request_id=bf38cd24a56a5e3b73ddbee81fb0419a&ret=1403279530&k=e6f580811029f24940cfc2593ff2f0d9" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img alt="Covered sandbox with canopy and benches #sandbox #outdoorfun #kids " src="http://s3.amazonaws.com/postpresso_images_prod/5616/1029551623_260.jpg?1403279546" /></a>
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I love this covered sandbox! It is so elegant with its canopy and benches. I don't know if I would ever get my girls out of it!<br />
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<a data-postpresso-clickable="true" href="http://salesbump.pgpartner.com/rd.php?pg=~~9&r=1203&m=1029551623&mt=2~2~215.93~162.40~189.17~~~salesbump_3-aKcpCzqKH8_XyQWb3HLA~n~~~~~&q=n&rdgt=1403279530&search=sandboxes&dl=1&source=xmlapi&request_id=bf38cd24a56a5e3b73ddbee81fb0419a&ret=1403279530&k=e6f580811029f24940cfc2593ff2f0d9" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Basket 99895 Covered Convertible Cedar Sandbox w/Canopy and Two Bench Seats, Brown 99895</a> - $162.40 (31% off), Free shipping - Available at <a data-postpresso-clickable="true" href="http://salesbump.pgpartner.com/rd.php?pg=~~9&r=1203&m=1029551623&mt=2~2~215.93~162.40~189.17~~~salesbump_3-aKcpCzqKH8_XyQWb3HLA~n~~~~~&q=n&rdgt=1403279530&search=sandboxes&dl=1&source=xmlapi&request_id=bf38cd24a56a5e3b73ddbee81fb0419a&ret=1403279530&k=e6f580811029f24940cfc2593ff2f0d9" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Overstock.com</a></div>
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<h4>
Spray-n-Splash 2 Inflatable Water Park</h4>
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<a data-postpresso-clickable="true" href="http://salesbump.pgpartner.com/rd.php?pg=~~10&r=402&m=1191377365&mt=1~1~349.99~349.99~349.99~~~salesbump_3-aKcpCzqKH8_XyQWb3HLA~y~~~~~&q=n&rdgt=1403279905&search=inflatable+bouncer&dl=1&source=xmlapi&request_id=b6bf4d1a7840b2a5e13a4198208d0d93&ret=1403279905&k=58e599b145f1e456620fb306466bc3d2" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img alt="Inflatable water slide #waterplay #waterslide #waterpark #inflatables #outdoorfun" src="http://s3.amazonaws.com/postpresso_images_prod/5617/1191377365_260.jpg?1403279917" /></a>
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Um yes! An inflatable water park is a must for a kids backyard paradise!<br />
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<a data-postpresso-clickable="true" href="http://salesbump.pgpartner.com/rd.php?pg=~~10&r=402&m=1191377365&mt=1~1~349.99~349.99~349.99~~~salesbump_3-aKcpCzqKH8_XyQWb3HLA~y~~~~~&q=n&rdgt=1403279905&search=inflatable+bouncer&dl=1&source=xmlapi&request_id=b6bf4d1a7840b2a5e13a4198208d0d93&ret=1403279905&k=58e599b145f1e456620fb306466bc3d2" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Spray-n-Splash 2 Inflatable Water Park</a> - $349.99, Free shipping - Available at <a data-postpresso-clickable="true" href="http://salesbump.pgpartner.com/rd.php?pg=~~10&r=402&m=1191377365&mt=1~1~349.99~349.99~349.99~~~salesbump_3-aKcpCzqKH8_XyQWb3HLA~y~~~~~&q=n&rdgt=1403279905&search=inflatable+bouncer&dl=1&source=xmlapi&request_id=b6bf4d1a7840b2a5e13a4198208d0d93&ret=1403279905&k=58e599b145f1e456620fb306466bc3d2" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Amazon.com</a></div>
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Anchors Away Pirate Ship Water Play</h4>
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<a data-postpresso-clickable="true" href="http://salesbump.pgpartner.com/rd.php?pg=~~9&r=5316&m=1419622211&mt=1~1~114.38~114.38~114.38~~~salesbump_3-aKcpCzqKH8_XyQWb3HLA~n~~~~~&q=n&rdgt=1403280629&search=water+play&dl=1&source=xmlapi&request_id=c66d2da566305c5bcbbb8bc75ef4fbc9&ret=1403280629&k=ba1dbd7129fa8abfb6d1966d0bf940db" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img alt="Kids playing around a pirate ship water table #waterplay #watertable #outdoorfun" src="http://s3.amazonaws.com/postpresso_images_prod/5618/1419622211_260.jpg?1403280647" /></a>
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For my younger kids this pirate ship water table would be a blast!<br />
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<a data-postpresso-clickable="true" href="http://salesbump.pgpartner.com/rd.php?pg=~~9&r=5316&m=1419622211&mt=1~1~114.38~114.38~114.38~~~salesbump_3-aKcpCzqKH8_XyQWb3HLA~n~~~~~&q=n&rdgt=1403280629&search=water+play&dl=1&source=xmlapi&request_id=c66d2da566305c5bcbbb8bc75ef4fbc9&ret=1403280629&k=ba1dbd7129fa8abfb6d1966d0bf940db" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Anchors Away Pirate Ship Water Play</a> - $114.38, 5.00 shipping - Available at <a data-postpresso-clickable="true" href="http://salesbump.pgpartner.com/rd.php?pg=~~9&r=5316&m=1419622211&mt=1~1~114.38~114.38~114.38~~~salesbump_3-aKcpCzqKH8_XyQWb3HLA~n~~~~~&q=n&rdgt=1403280629&search=water+play&dl=1&source=xmlapi&request_id=c66d2da566305c5bcbbb8bc75ef4fbc9&ret=1403280629&k=ba1dbd7129fa8abfb6d1966d0bf940db" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Amazon.com Marketplace</a><br />
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Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links provided by <a href="http://www.postpresso.com/">Postpresso</a>.<br />
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What would you include in your kid's backyard paradise?</div>
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<br />Meredithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07510960786007169383noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5606185230238584198.post-53434502734433017852014-06-17T06:00:00.000-04:002014-06-17T06:00:00.778-04:00A Month in Review PLUS Twitter Tuesday Linky Party #24<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I can hardly believe that we are already more than half way through June! This month is just cruising past. So far in June, <a href="http://www.atipicalday.com/">A TIPical Day</a> had a guest post from Paula @ <a href="http://keepitsimplemakeitgreat.blogspot.com.ar/" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: white; color: #0088d8; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22.176000595092773px; text-decoration: none;">Happysnappy, a storyteller with a camera</a> about <a href="http://www.atipicalday.com/2014/06/serial-vs-parallel-work.html" rel="">Serial vs. Parallel Work</a> for large craft projects. 7 bloggers plus myself launched a giveaway for a <a href="http://www.atipicalday.com/2014/06/splash-into-summer-with-100-visa-card.html">$100 Visa Gift Card</a> (ending in just 3 days) and shared ideas for <a href="http://www.atipicalday.com/2014/06/splash-into-summer-with-100-visa-card.html">summertime water play</a>. I have continued the <a href="http://www.atipicalday.com/2014/06/being-proverbs-31-woman-vs-21.html">Proverbs 31</a> series with a look at verse 21 and being prepared. </div>
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Finally, last week I gave you a roundup of great <a href="http://www.atipicalday.com/2014/06/the-ultimate-fathers-day-round-up.html">Father's Day ideas</a> which I hope that you used. If not, <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/418412621603685567/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">pin it </a>for next year! I also shared one of my favorite <a href="http://www.atipicalday.com/2014/06/crock-pot-sausage-with-peppers-and.html" target="_blank">crock pot recipes for sausage with peppers and onion </a>and of course this awesome <a href="http://www.atipicalday.com/2014/06/crock-pot-sausage-with-peppers-and.html" target="_blank">Tuesday Twitter Party</a>! I ended the week with a<a href="http://www.atipicalday.com/2014/06/book-review-mr-pete-where-are-your-feet.html" target="_blank"> book review of Mr. Pete, Where Are Your Feet?</a> This is an adorable picture book with a great message. If you missed any of these posts, please be sure to go back and check them out!</div>
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Now let's party!</div>
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Welcome to the The Ultimate Linky's Twitter Party!</h3>
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Thanks for coming and linking up here to the Twitter Linky Party! You can come back here every week on Tuesday for this whole summer to get more followers on twitter! Our goal is to grow this party so that there will be new people linking up every week so that you can continue to get new followers!
There are two linkies in this party! You can do just one or both linkies if you wish. On the first linky, you will link up your Twitter URL for your Twitter account so that you can be followed. On the second linky, link up the URL of a tweet you would like to be retweeted.
Please follow me and Tammy from The Ultimate Linky on Twitter, add the button to your sidebar or party page, and then link up and follow the directions for who to follow/retweet! If you are the last three to link up, your links will be manually added to the beginning of next week's link-up so that you get your follows. You can always follow more if you decide to! We also would love any shares that you could give to help spread the word about this party!
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<br />Meredithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07510960786007169383noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5606185230238584198.post-19281197605488691802014-06-12T12:47:00.002-04:002014-06-12T12:47:30.410-04:00Book Review: Mr. Pete, Where Are Your Feet<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>* Disclaimer - I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All views expressed in this post are my own. This post also contains affiliate links. Any purchases made through these links will result in a small commission being paid to me.</i></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/1490409432/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1490409432&linkCode=am2&tag=atd05-20"><img alt="Book Cover for Mr. Pete, Where Are Your Feet by Katherine Bartlett Book Review @ATIPicalDay #books #childrenspicturebooks #bookreview #children'sliterature" border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=1490409432&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=atd05-20" height="400" title="Mr. Pete, Where Are Your Feet by Katherine Bartlett Book Review @ATIPicalDay #books #childrenspicturebooks #bookreview #children'sliterature" width="306" /></a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=atd05-20&l=am2&o=1&a=1490409432" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
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It has been raining here for the last 3 days. Of course 5 kids pent-up for that long is not fun. I really have to reach into my bag of tricks to find boredom busters for them. Trying to steer them away from the popular choice of video games and TV is not always easy. One thing that I always like to encourage during times like this is reading. I love children's literature, and deeply enjoy reading it with my children. There is something about it that just unlocks my inner child.<br />
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I was thrilled when I received a copy of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/1490409432/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1490409432&linkCode=am2&tag=atd05-20">Mr. Pete, Where Are Your Feet?</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=atd05-20&l=am2&o=1&a=1490409432" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> As my children and I dove into the pages of this charming picture book about a parakeet whose mommy always asks him, "Mr. Pete, where are your feet?" we simply found ourselves enamored by him. Mr. Pete, noticing that his toes are much smaller than the other birds suddenly becomes concerned that his feet must be missing. He and his other bird friends set out in search of his missing toes looking through their little birdie homes. The story contains a great message about acceptance and unconditional love.<br />
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As I read <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/1490409432/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1490409432&linkCode=am2&tag=atd05-20">Mr. Pete, Where Are Your Feet?</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=atd05-20&l=am2&o=1&a=1490409432" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> to my children, they were captivate by the story and enjoyed the pictures. One aspect that truly made this story especially special was at the end of the book. Katherine Bartlett includes a meet the birds section where she introduces readers to the real Mr. Pete and his friends. This really made the story come alive for my 6 year. As we read through it a second time he was pointing out each bird and able to put a names to the picture. <br />
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Not only is the story line a gem, but the illustrations are darling as well. My 2 year old daughter enjoyed flipping through the pages over and over just to look at the pictures. What a fabulous way to introduce reading to toddlers.</div>
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If you and your children read this book, I would love to hear your thoughts on it. You can get your copy on Amazon today through one of the above links.<br />
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If you haven't already, be sure to enter our giveaway for a<b><span style="font-size: large;"> <a href="http://www.atipicalday.com/2014/06/splash-into-summer-with-100-visa-card.html" target="_blank">$100 Visa Giftcard</a></span></b><br />
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<br />Meredithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07510960786007169383noreply@blogger.com5