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Jun 6, 2016
Catholic Influencers· The Little Things

A Book, a Bucket, and A Ball: All I needed to get Summer Rolling!

What am I going to do with this very active child all summer?  I was asking myself just that question when I was presented the opportunity to review (affiliate link)  KIDFUN: 400 Fun and Easy Ideas for Kids Ages 2 to 8. Hope Horwitz sent me Sharla Felscher’s ebook in the hopes that I would share it with you. I’m happy to tell you it has provided a rolling start to a very fun summer ahead!

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As a woman who became a mom “later in life” and who spent her career educating teenagers, I often feel like a fish out of water with my young son.  There is so much I don’t know about early childhood. I want to make sure I am giving him all the opportunities he needs to grow and develop in the healthiest ways. This ebook helped calm my anxiety. KIDFUN reassured me that there are plenty of things to do – and that most of them are super easy to set up and initiate!  I love easy!

My son, his friend Jared, and I had a great time trying out some of Sharla’s suggestions. Reading through the book I was reminded of how simple childhood can be – and how much joy can come from the simplest objects.  Here is a glimpse of Sharla’s book!

5 Games to Play to Play with a Bucket or a Ball!

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1.  Water play!

Sharla gives lots of fun ideas on how to simply use a bucket of water to keep a child entertained as well as teach them a chore and life lessons.  Some of the activities require some soap too!  My son loves to play with his water table, but adding a bucket and some other containers created a new spark in his eye and lots of new ways to enjoy the water and the sunny day!

waterplay.jpg

2.  Wash away!

Sharla helped me realize that my son always wanting to “wash dishes” is a great motivator for him to use soapy water for play.  This is great because it helps me have some quiet during the day and it also gives my son an opportunity to play and feel important.  KIDFUN reminds parents that washing toys with a sponge and soapy water can teach children to take care of their belongings and, honesty, they enjoy doing it!  You can also have them take their buckets and sponges over to the car and clean that too!  Fun in the sun, plus some chores done!  Win/win!

3.  Wet Blanket

This is something I have never heard or thought of . . . pour that bucket out on a beach towel or an old sheet.  Now, let your child drape it over himself or lay on it.  What a neat way to cool down!  So simple – never thought of it!

4.  Treasure Hunt

animalhideandseek.jpg

We actually put a spin on this game.  I hid all animal toys and gave each boy a bucket.  I told them the animals wanted to play hide and seek with them.  They loved it – and I would have NEVER thought of it without the help of Sharla’s book!

5.  Sharp Shooter

sharpshooter.jpg

This game was AWESOME!  We got a ball and set up toy “bricks”.  I put a towel down and told the boys they couldn’t pass the towel.  They threw the ball at the tower and – when they hit it- knocked the tower down!  How much do boys love knocking things down?! Another part of the game was to re-build the tower so they could go again.  This game taught the boys patience, following rules, cooperation and sportsmanship.  Once again, I needed Sharla’s book to give me the idea and spark my enthusiasm!  I’m actually excited to play this again!

sharpshooterbuild1.jpg

Not only does KIDFUN give outdoor play ideas, it is loaded with ideas for all situations – in the car, in a waiting room, on a rainy day, etc. I absolutely love how it reminds me that an iPad or the television are not the only alternative! If you would like to purchase Sharla’s ebook, and get 355 more ideas for fun with the kids this summer, please use my affiliate link below!  It’s only $5.99 – totally worth it!  Happy Summer!

KIDFUN: 400 Fun and Easy Ideas for Kids Ages 2 to 8

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Comments

  1. Hope Horwitz says

    June 6, 2016 at 4:01 pm

    I LOVE this! Thank you for highlighting this book and these games – how much fun does it look like your son and his friend are having. I can’t wait to try these with my kids!

    • Amy says

      June 6, 2016 at 6:14 pm

      Thank you Hope!!!

  2. Brittany Fryman says

    June 7, 2016 at 3:32 pm

    My boys would absolutely love these games – especially the one with the bricks!

    • Amy says

      June 7, 2016 at 3:46 pm

      I gotta admit – that one is definitely my favorite so far!

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GUIDE: How to Plan your Own Prayer Wine Chocolate Retreat

Be Yourself! Journal

Journal for tweens and teens

prayerwinechocolate

Do you ever feel like you are not doing enough? O Do you ever feel like you are not doing enough?

Often I need this reminder - God doesn't want us to feel stressed.
He wants us to rely on Him - trust Him.

He wants us to love.
Be patient and kind.

Many saints have discovered this and have advised us in their own words.

Saint Katharine Drexel said, "peacefully do at each moment what needs to be done."

Saint Teresa of Calcutta stated, "never worry about numbers, help one person at a time and start with the person nearest to you."

Saint Therese', the Little Flower, demonstrated again and again how much Jesus delights in her little way.

You don't need to be stressed.
Your little acts of love and trust for Jesus delight Him.

Have a better day 😉
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Easter is the perfect time to encourage prayer wit Easter is the perfect time to encourage prayer with a gift!
These gifts and more available in my little shop!

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Easter gift ideas for Catholic boys… #Catholicbo Easter gift ideas for Catholic boys…
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Be Yourself Journal on sale for $17.00… today on Be Yourself Journal on sale for $17.00… today only!!!
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Striving for Sainthood can be as simple as this… Striving for Sainthood can be as simple as this… 

This type of advice can be really helpful for all of us… especially for a young girl navigating middle school or her early teens.

This advice would have helped me.
Why?

Because it takes some pressure off the high expectations often felt by us as individuals.

It makes God’s will for us feel achievable and realistic.

It’s totally relevant to a student in junior high
(And a slightly stressed out adult)

This page in the Be Yourself embraces scrapbooking fun- just like the back cover. Only this page encourages photographs. Yes, actual printed ones 🎞️📸

Take a deep breath.
Love the next person that comes near you.
#Catholicmom #Catholicsaints #middleschool #juniorhigh #Catholicquotes #inspirationalquotes
A prayer and the story behind the picture… Oh S A prayer and the story behind the picture…

Oh St. Joseph whose protection is so great, so strong, so prompt before the throne of God, 

I place in you all my interests and desires. Oh St. Joseph do assist me by your powerful intercession and obtain for me from your divine son all spiritual blessings through Jesus Christ, our Lord; 

so that having engaged here below your heavenly power I may offer my thanksgiving and homage to the most loving of fathers. 

Oh St. Joseph, I never weary contemplating you and Jesus asleep in your arms. I dare not approach while he reposes near your heart. Press him in my name and kiss his fine head for me, and ask him to return the kiss when I draw my dying breath. 

St. Joseph, patron of departing souls, pray for us.
Amen.

My children had off from school on Friday. I had committed to an hour of Eucharistic Adoration on Fridays from to 2 to 3 during Lent… so since they had off, they had to come with me.
It was stressful.
They CAN NOT sit still.
Once I got one to stop walking around or talking, another one started.
But in the middle of all this… I witnessed a sweet moment.
I hesitated to pull out my phone because I really try not to during Adoration.
But, the beauty of the moment struck me, and I had to capture it.
📸 
Motherhood is hard. Parenting is difficult.
But I’m often reminded it’s like farming… and I’m planting seeds.

I just hope and pray I’m planting more good seeds then bad ones.

Thank goodness we can pray and ask for prayers from others!

Saint Joseph, pray for us!
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THANK YOU! Thank you! Thank you! If you have left THANK YOU! Thank you!
Thank you!

If you have left a review on Amazon for either of the Be Yourself Journals… thank you from the bottom of my heart!

When you leave a review on Amazon it makes me SO HAPPY… plus it sends a signal to Amazon to show more people these books!
I’d love for more girls to get this book in their Easter Basket this year!

I’m so grateful this book is being used and appreciated!

God is good!

If you like this book and haven’t left a review, please write one! It’s okay if you didn’t buy it from there!

Tag someone with a 10 or 11 year old girl!

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I can’t believe in the past week I’ve posted 4 I can’t believe in the past week I’ve posted 4 videos on YouTube!

And last week’s interview with Dr. Matthew Breuninger (@askacatholictherapist ) still has me thinking about the “psychology of prayer journaling “!

The last 4 videos posted consist of two new interviews (Jessica Castillo from @athrivingcatholic and Dr. John Spitzer @johnspitzermd ); 

a box opening of @pinksaltriot ‘s latest JOY BOX and finally 

a “how to” video that demonstrates how girls can design the back cover of Be Yourself: a Journal for Catholic Girls!
Whew!

Dr. John Spitzer shared parenting advice for moms and dads of tweens;

Jessica Castillo shared how our physical and spiritual health are connected;

The Joy Box had some fun surprises… one will be going in my daughter’s Easter Basket;
And my friend’s daughter was the perfect co-host in the “how to design “ video!

Tell me which topic interests you the most… maybe I’ll dedicate an Instagram post highlighting that content!

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FLASH SALE ON BOY’S Journal ends tonight!!! Link FLASH SALE ON BOY’S Journal ends tonight!!!
Link in bio!
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“I got this for my 10 yr old daughter’s Easter “I got this for my 10 yr old daughter’s Easter basket. She immediately was attracted to it. Later, she came to me and said that it was her favorite item in her basket. She loves it and really has spent time with it. It is motivational, inspirational, engaging and most importantly, designed to encourage a habit of prayer and meditation at a young age. All while focusing on God’s love for us and our uniqueness…”
Review left on Amazon about Be Yourself:a Journal for Catholic Girls
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FLASH SALE!!!! Boy’s journal sale ends MONDAY!!! FLASH SALE!!!!
Boy’s journal sale ends MONDAY!!!
Finish up Lent strong… and add this fun book to an Easter Basket!
Link in bio!
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I adore you Jesus, true God, and true man, pres I  adore you Jesus, 
true God, and true man, 
present in the Holy Eucharist, 
kneeling before you 
and united in spirit 
with all the faithful on earth 
and all the saints in heaven. 

In gratitude for so great a blessing, 
I love you with all my heart, 
for you are worthy of all praise 
and adoration. 

Lord Jesus Christ, may I never offend you with my lack of love. 

May your Eucharistic presence refresh me in body and soul. 

Mary, Mother of the Eucharistic Lord, pray for me 
and obtain for me a greater love for Jesus. Amen.

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Have you ever seen a statistic and thought… thes Have you ever seen a statistic and thought… these numbers are NOT in my favor?

Years ago, I was lonely, depressed and wondering if I would ever not be lonely and depressed.

I dreamed of falling in love and getting married.

But, I wanted to marry a faithful Catholic man… and I believe I saw that only 22% (?) of Americans were Catholic.

And then I thought…
Half of them aren’t men, a large percentage are not practicing and … also how many are BOOMERS?

Lucky for me, God math goes like this…
5 loaves 
2 fish
=
5,000 meals and leftovers 

This is my handsome husband and our awesome nephew with the Bishop that Confirmed him on Friday.
Matt was -and is- such a proud Sponsor and Uncle!
God bless Grayson Patrick FRANCIS!

Thank you God for all of your gifts!!!
“You pay God a compliment when you ask big things of Him.” ~ Saint Teresa of Avila

#Catholic #confirmationsponsor #CatholicSacraments #EucharisticRevival #EucharisticAdoration #ComeHolySpirit #Saintquotes #CatholicSaints
Don’t you love when a plan comes together for a Don’t you love when a plan comes together for a retreat and you see joyful faces! 

Listen, this is the best retreat hack for Catholic girls!
****The Be Yourself Journal Scrapbooking activity.****

Give each girl a Be Yourself Journal.
Explain how, “We are all called to holiness but we take different paths.” ~ Saint Katharine Drexel.

Have each girl pick out a Holy card and two Catholic stickers.

Put scrapbooking paper and Catholic washi-tape (thank you @thestumpofjesse ) on the tables and get them started with decorating the back of their journals.

As they work add more stickers and quote cards to their table.

Point out that they were all given the same set of instructions… yet each cover design is unique.

The same is true for their calling!
God has a unique mission for each individual.

He calls us to follow the Commandments, embrace His Word and trust the teachings of the Church…
same set of basic instructions, different yet BEAUTIFUL results when followed!
“Be who God meant you to be and you’ll set the world on fire!” ~Saint Catherine of Siena
Huge thank you to the women who donated journals and holy cards!!!
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Not sure what to do with all those prayer cards? Not sure what to do with all those prayer cards? 

Holy cards can be a fantastic prayer journal prompt. 

Copy the prayer off the back and glue the card to the page ;next to, underneath or above where you wrote the prayer).

Follow me for more prayer journaling tips!
#Catholicjournal #biblejournal #Prayerjournal #prayerjournaling #bissisterhood #Catholicsonline #Jesusandcoffee #Lentideas
Getting ready for a Confirmation Retreat this week Getting ready for a Confirmation Retreat this weekend!

So excited to help these young Catholics see that each is called to holiness… but each mission is unique and unrepeatable!

Huge thank you to the women who donated journals for the retreat (11 donated!!!) and the women from my Bible study group who donated Holy cards!

If you would like to donate a Journal for one of the girls attending the retreat this weekend… send me a private message and I’ll explain how!

Holy cards are GREAT prayer journal prompts!

Which Holy card would you put in your prayer journal?
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Keep at it!!! Don’t give up and Don’t give in! Keep at it!!! Don’t give up and Don’t give in!!! “The world offers you comfort… but you were not made for comfort, you were made for GREATNESS!”
Pope Benedict XVI
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New post up on the blog!! I found some awesome Hol New post up on the blog!!
I found some awesome Holy Spirit themed gift ideas!
Link in bio!
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Holy Spirit activate!!! New gift guide up!!! One m Holy Spirit activate!!!
New gift guide up!!!
One might say … these gifts are on FIRE!!!!
Check it out… link in bio!!!
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