Making Summer Reading Fun Link Love
I devoured books as a child. Not the books that were required reading, but the kind that were fun and entertaining for young girls, like Anne of Green Gables, Sweet Valley High, and A Wrinkle in Time. I’m still a big reader, because I learned very young there was a difference between required reading and reading for fun.
So this link love post is all about getting kids to read this summer. And it’s all about making it fun, of course! Because what kid wants to read The Old Man and The Sea during the summer? Or ever?
Children’s book author, Rena Jones, has some great ideas to get your kids reading this summer, and over at Katie’s Literature Lounge, a teacher has an ongoing Summer Reading Series where she posts her weekly picks for summer reading. The books will vary between children’s picture books, middle-grade, and young adult. Read more
The Easiest Way To Create The Best Baby Registry
I found out that Babies R Us deleted the registry I created when I was pregnant with my first son. Apparently, they delete registries after a year, which I think is really lame considering most people plan on getting pregnant more than once. I’m pregnant again and have a friend who is pregnant with her first who needs advice on what to put on her registry.
So, now I have to reinvent the wheel.
But I’m not too bummed about it because I remember the one major help in creating my first registry was the book Baby Bargains, so I’m going to buy the latest addition that just came out in April. It’s an exceptional book that includes finding the best bargains on baby products, detailed product reviews on everything you need for your registry(including baby clothes and maternity wear), and advice on what you really need to buy and when.
The book never steered me wrong as I was very happy with everything we bought. The Baby Bargains website is also incredibly helpful as they post updates to the book including bonus material, blog about new products and baby news, and have a very active forum where readers discuss and rate products. Read more
Michael Jackson’s Children, What Now?
Who Has Maternal Rights?
With the surprising death of Michael Jackson, the question arises as to what happens to his 3 children, Prince 12, Paris 11, & “Blanket” 7. While the maternity of Blanket, the youngest, is not publicly known, the older 2 are the biological children of Debbie Rowe.
It’s was widely thought that Debbie Rowe had given up her parental rights, but the judge in that custody case recently said she did not, in fact give up her rights, so she should be next in line for custody.
Unfortunately it is widely acknowledged that Ms. Rowe has had virtually no relationship with her 2 children.
Is Katherine Jackson The Answer?
The Jackson family have already stated that the matriarch, Katherine Jackson, should be the one to raise the children.
Randomness Meme: Kids Say The Darndest Things
I was tagged to do the Randomness Meme by Amy at Family on the Phone. For this meme we’re supposed to list our favorite quotes, so I decided to make the quotes mom-friendly for Mom’s Resource Blog. Here are some of my favorite funny quotes from kids:
When I was six months pregnant with my third child, my three year old came into the room when I was just getting ready to get into the shower. She said, “Mommy, you are getting fat!” I replied, “Yes, honey, remember Mommy has a baby growing in her tummy.” “I know,” she replied, but what’s growing in your butt?”
A mother was preparing pancakes for her sons, Kevin, 5, and Ryan, 3. The boys began to argue over who would get the first pancake. Their mother saw the opportunity for a moral lesson. “If Jesus were sitting here, He would say, ‘Let my brother have the first pancake. I can wait.’” Kevin turned to his younger brother and said, “Ryan, you be Jesus.
Spruce Up Your Nest With Some Free Paint!
Glidden is giving away a free quart of paint to anyone who signs up before July 2nd. The Glidden National Paint Giveaway is a great opportunity to add a little color in your life, spruce up a boring space, or even experiment with a wild pop of color! Keep in mind it’s a quart & not a gallon, but it would be great for updating cupboard doors, your front door, or adding an accent wall to a room.
How To Get Your Free Paint
Click here to pick your color and receive a free quart of Glidden eggshell finish paint!
photo credit: Robert S. Donovan
CBC Continued: LaTara Asks Why I Think Giving Is Important
We’re continuing our conversation with LaTara from Mom Unplugged. I loved reading her answers to my questions about giving and I hope you did too! She has some amazing friends that helped her out when she truly needed it in life.
Now it’s my turn to answer her questions. She asked:
Why do you think it is so important to do nice things for other people? Do you think that people who don’t pay it forward suffer or miss out in any way?
Good questions! I knew you’d make me think. 
Read more
Great American Backyard Campout Day
In the past, I never understood why hanging out with bugs, getting dirty, and not having access to a hot shower, blow dryer, or thermostat was considered fun by some people. But then I married a Boy Scout (what was I thinking?) and will be having my second son in November, so it’s inevitable that I will have to give up my preferred method of camping, which is staying in a hotel.
However, I just found out about a wonderful way to camp while still having access to civilization.
This Saturday, June 27, is the Great American Backyard Campout. The purpose of this day is to get families enjoying the outdoors together because June is Great Outdoors Month. You can choose to camp in your backyard or at a local campground. If your family would like join in the fun, you can register at this site. It lists plenty of great tips on how to camp, and includes other fun stuff like recipes, campfire songs, games, crafts, and activities.
I’m thinking of making this a summer tradition when my sons are older. I will definitely push for the backyard option, because then I can sneak inside when the hubby is asleep. I know…I’m a wimp!
If you plan on camping out this weekend, please comment and let me know how it went!
photo credit: Bah Humbug
Mom, Your Man Is Wonderful
This is a guest post by Leslie McCaskey.
Throw a welcome home party, every night! That is the task I chose as research for a simple contest entry. There is a book out in the market place called “Your Man is Wonderful.” It is written by Dr. Noelle Nelson, for those of you are intrigued by this post and want to go out and buy yourself a copy.
The point of the book is to help women evaluate their relationships and to rediscover the prince they once married. Women are challenged to rediscover the good things in their marriages, relationships, and husbands using one of the proven methods from the book through a contest. Interested in competing alongside me? You can enter at Toad To Prince Read more
An Inspiring Cross Blog Conversation With LaTara Ham-Ying
This week we’re having a cross blog conversation with LaTara Ham-Ying from Mom Unplugged. I’m really excited about interviewing her again, because her blog is always an inspirational pick me up as she’s all about living authentically. Check out our first interview to get to know her a little better.
For those of you who don’t know what a cross blog conversation is, it’s just like having a conversation with a friend. I will ask her a question on this blog, and she will answer on her blog, Mom Unplugged. She will then ask me a question on her blog, and I will answer on this blog. We will continue to go back and forth for several posts. Sounds like fun, right?
Because LaTara just wrote a wonderful post on giving and self denial, and because my last post was on how moms can change the world through giving in small ways, my first questions have to do with giving:
What is the nicest thing someone has ever done for you? Did it inspire you to pass it on? What is the nicest thing you’ve ever done for someone else? Why did you do it, and how did it make you feel?
Be sure to check out Mom Unplugged for her answers. Thanks LaTara for taking the time to chat with me!
Moms Can Change The World Link Love
We are creating and molding the future of this world every day through mothering the next generation; we change the world with each word we say and action we take because our kids are always paying attention.
But are you ready to take it up a notch? To really get out there and be a positive influence in this world and show your kids how to do the same?
There are some pretty amazing moms in the blogosphere wanting to help you do just that, so this link love is all about how moms can change the world.
Internet Marketing Sweetie posted about how powerful moms are when it comes to marketing and promoting products. She writes how moms use their influence to make ideas go viral within their tribes or communities. Read more
