Farmer's Market - Create and Play Activity Book

My four year old told me the other day he wants to be a farmer when he grows up! This kid loves to make believe and pretend. Policeman, fireman, race car driver, garbage collector, doctor, mailman, and now farmer. It's always something new with this kid. When I came across Deanna Cook's new book Farmer's Market I was so excited to share it with my son. This book is full of goodies--games, crafts, field trip ideas, stickers . . . My four year old carefully looked through every single page and then we got to work creating this amazing farmers market.  

I can hardly call it work though. What I love so much about this book is that all the parts come as stickers or punch-out paper pieces so mom doesn't get stuck cutting everything and the projects come together flawlessly. The first project we tackled was the cash register.  It was great to have a special project for just the two of us to do together!

We then went to work on our farm. We created this amazing barn using dollar store poster board--Deanna's instructions made it ridiculously easy to put together. We made a field for our crops, tools to help us plant, and a tractor to help us plow.

Time to harvest some yummy veggies!

Getting the market ready to sell!

Woo-hoo! Customers!

Deanna has really thought of it all.  There are fruit and veggie paper punch-outs, labels for market goods, price tags, farmers market banner, price list, shopping list, business cards, money for the cash register, open/close sign, welcome sign, name tags, shopping bag labels . . . and I'm sure I forgot something! There's SO much in this little book!

The book is also full of activities like "what does a tractor do?" and "what do plants need to grow?" and "market math". You can design a dream market with stickers, go on a field trip to a farm and farmers market complete with scavenger hunt activities and so much more! When I say Deanna has thought of everything I mean she has thought of everything! This book is full of hands on learning and imaginative play!

If you have a little farmer in your family I just know they'll love this book as much as we did! Wouldn't it make a great gift pared with some cute kid sized gardening tools and seeds? Be sure to pick up your copy of Farmer's Market on Amazon. 

Want to win a copy? Head on over to our Facebook page to enter the giveaway. Simply leave a comment or like our post sharing this giveaway. That's it! Super simple.

Budsies - Custom Plush Creations (and a discount for you!)

It took us long enough but we're finally on Instagram!  Be sure to follow along @servingpinklemonade to sneak a peek at what we've been up to.

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My two oldest children are exceptional artists.  They love to draw and have multiple sketch books filled with their creations!  Last summer I spotted an art contest at a store near us.  The winners of the contest would get their drawings turned into plush toys and would then be sold at the store.  How amazing would that be?  I'm sure a dream come true for any child.  I told my kids about the contest and they were super excited to enter.  They went right to work and within the next hour they had their entries complete.  They both came up with fun and clever ideas and I felt they both had a fair chance of winning.  My seven year old really wanted to win. He brought up the contest over the next several months weekly, if not daily.  His drawing was super cute, but knowing that there were thousands of entries I knew his chances of wining were slim.  After months of waiting, the winners were finally announced.  Even though my son knew the realty of winning was small I could see that he was awfully disappointed that he didn't win.

(Isn't this little guy just adorable? Who wouldn't want to hold and cuddle him?)


I started thinking that even though he didn't win the contest it would still be fun to turn his drawing into a plush toy on our own.  Doing it myself wasn't something I felt up to so I started searching for a company that would do it for me.  After looking at a few option I decided to go with Budsies.

I was really impressed with the whole process.  Creating the plush toy took several weeks but I loved how Budsies sent me emails keeping me updated on the progress as the toy was created.  First the designers interpreted the design, then sketched and cut the fabric, next was fluff and sew, then a double quality check, and last it was shipped to our front door.

My sons art-turned-plush toy arrived in this adorable box.



I could hardly wait to open the box and take a peek.  I loved how the first thing I saw when I opened the box was a copy of my sons original drawing and then underneath was his new plush toy!






I love how it turned out!  I think the design team at Busdies did a wonderful job. The craftsmanship is high quality and the fabric is so soft and cuddly.  I can hardly wait to gift it to my son for his birthday.  I can't wait to see the look on his face.  I just know he is going to be so surprised and love his new cuddly plush toy.



Can you hardly wait to turn one of your child's memorable pieces of art into their own custom cuddly plush toy?  I know it will be a gift they treasure!

The nice folks at Budsies are offering Serving Pink Lemonade readers 10% off their order.  Go HERE to get your discount!

Dressing Your Truth + a Giveaway! ***Giveaway Closed***

A few weeks ago I mentioned one of my very favorite parenting books, The Child Whisperer by Carol Tuttle. (If you missed my post about that go here to learn more about this super helpful parenting guide.)  This book sparked my interest in Carol Tuttle's work and I soon learned about her Dressing Your Truth® course.  I was intrigued by it (because who doesn't want to look and feel great) and had been wanting to take the course for quite a while. Recently I finally had the time and found the course so interesting (and fun--because clothes and shopping are always fun).

I wanted to mention it here because I enjoyed it so much and learned a lot about myself in the process--I thought all of you might love it too.  Often as a mom I get so busy buying clothes for my four fast growing kids that I often forget about myself.  It was a nice change to focus on what I wear.

You can learn about your Type of beauty too by going HERE and taking the free course.  My mom, sisters, and I have all taken the course and we love chatting about it together.  It's a lot of fun.

But what is Dressing Your Truth?

In the Dressing Your Truth course you'll learn which of the four Types of beauty you express as well as gain the tools and knowledge to express that beauty through your clothes, accessories, hair, and make-up.  I think Dressing Your Truth is fabulous because it allows you to express outwardly what your true nature is on the inside.

I am a TYPE 2^SM woman and after taking the course I was happy to learn that I have--for the most part--been dressing my truth all along.  Carol talks about having a beauty sixth sense and the elements she teaches about for a TYPE 2^SM woman are what I have always loved and been drawn to.  Soft, blended, flowy, muted, feminine, clothes is what my closet is full of!

It was satisfying to know that I have been honoring my nature all these years.  I did have to do a little tweaking with my wardrobe since TYPE 2^SM women shouldn't wear black--and I love black--or I thought I did.  Initially I was disappointed that I would have to give up my black if I wanted to dress true to my nature but after leaning that I could still wear grays and navy's giving up black was much easier--and I found that many of my favorite items of clothing that I thought of as black really were a dark gray.

One of the things I love the most about Dressing Your Truth is that I can walk into any store and know exactly what will look good on me.  It makes shopping for clothes so easy.  In fact I walked into one of my favorite stores the other day and the clothing display right in the front of the store was full of TYPE 2^SM clothes.  It was fun to instantly recognize it.

The lovely ladies over at Dressing Your Truth have generously offered to giveaway a Dressing Your Truth online experience to one of my readers (a $297 value!)  I'm so excited to be able to offer it to you!

In the 3-hour course you'll discover your Type of beauty and learn the tools for how to express it through your clothes, accessories, make-up, and hair.

The Dressing Your Truth experience also includes hours of personal style training, Dressing Your Truth Club Membership, monthly online events (I have loved watching these!), and much, much more!

Enter for your chance to win below by leaving a comment telling me what your favorite color is to wear, then click HERE to learn your type of beauty for free!

Also . . . the holiday's are right around the corner, and if you're like me, I'm always trying to come up with unique and creative gift ideas.  The Dressing Your Truth online experience would make a really fun gift for that person who you just don't know what to get--or maybe you want to put it on your wish list.  There is even a Dressing Your Truth course for men!

Good luck!

Giveaway ends November 20, 2015


***Congratulations to Heather for winning the Dressing Your Truth giveaway!





-This post contains affiliate links . . . however, all opinions are mine and mine alone.

12-Day Nativity Book + a Giveaway! ***Giveaway Closed***

November has just begun but I'm already half way through my Christmas shopping and holiday planning.  The truth is as soon as July hits my brain is on Christmas and I'm brainstorming gift ideas for everyone.  I just love the Christmas season.  I love buying gifts for my family, making gifts with my children to give away, and most importantly having a whole month for focusing on the Savior as a family.

Every year I try to incorporate new traditions into our family that help us think of the Savior during the month of December.  A friend of mine told me about this brand new book that just came out called 12-Day Nativity.  I was excited to get my hands on a copy.  This book was everything I hoped it would be.

The book takes a twist on the popular 12-days of Christmas and shifts it into a 12-day nativity focusing on the Christmas story.  What I love most about this book is how the author, Marilee, thinks of everything!  It's well thought through to the very last detail.  That doesn't mean it's complicated or hard to pull off though.  Marilee offers a variety of ideas and suggestions so that you can adjust the experience to what works best for your family.

Not only is the book chalk full of ideas for a 12-day nativity experience but it offers several other nativity related ideas as well.  From advents, to celebrating with neighbors, nativity activities and crafts, explanations of how the nativity is celebrated around the world, and even a list of children's books that focus on the nativity story.  This book includes it all!

One of the activities in the book was making a nativity bracelet.




I pulled my kids together and we got our minds on Christmas a little early this year and made one.



This project was simple but meaningful.  Using some dollar store pony beads and pipe cleaners we made our nativity bracelets.  We reviewed the nativity story and each of the characters in it.  Each child then chose a bead to represent each character in the nativity story (pink for Mary, dark blue for Joseph, and so on).

After each character was assigned a color, the beads were strung onto the pipe cleaner in the order that they appear in the nativity story.

The pipe cleaner was then turned into a bracelet. The beads can be slid across the bracelet as the nativity story is told and each character is mentioned.

My kids had a great time each creating their own nativity bracelets.  This is just one of the many fabulous Christ centered activities found in the 12-Day Nativity.

Today I have one copy of the 12-Day Nativity to giveaway. To enter to win by leaving a comment telling me what your favorite Christmas tradition is.  You can enter to win by leaving a comment below or by leaving a comment on our Facebook page.

Don't want to wait to win? Grad a copy (or two) over at Amazon. One for you and one for a friend or family member. I think this book would make a thoughtful and meaningful Christmas gift. Don't you?

Check out the 12-Day Nativity over on Facebook too.

Good luck!
Giveaway ends November 6, 2015.

The Child Whisperer + A Giveaway! ***Giveaway Closed***

It's funny how the smallest everyday occurrences can make a big influence in your life.  For example, one time I happened to attend my church's book club, which I don't do very often, and a friend mentioned that her children were taking some very affordable private swimming lessons.  I signed my kids right up and it was such a blessing to help my very timid swimmers. I was so glad I went to book club that night or I would have never known about the lessons!

And another time, years ago, a friend of mine asked me if I had ever made a quiet book and that I should.  I had never wanted to take on such a big project but her little comment started churning ideas in my head of quiet book pages and before I knew it I was drawing up patterns and sewing quiet book pages.  Of course I wanted to share my completed project here, which later led to being contacted by a publishing company and publishing my book Quiet Book Patterns.

And then one time I happened to be on Facebook and saw my cousin mention a book called The Child Whisperer.  It sounded interesting so I picked up a copy from the library.  After reading the first chapter or two I decided this was a book I was going to want to keep, highlight, and reference so I bought myself a copy.  It was worth every penny.  This book has changed my life!

Carol Tuttle's book isn't like any other parenting book you've read before.  Other parenting books usually say if your child does A then you do B, but Carol instead explains that if we understand the true natures of our children and then parent to their natures our children will be happier and more cooperative.

We can discover the true natures of our children through energy profiling, which Carol explains in her book.  I have found energy profiling so interesting.  I have four children and somehow ended up with each of the energy types.  I have a serious child, sensitive child, determined child and fun-loving child. My first two kids are the serious child and the sensitive child.  Their energies are still.  You can imagine my surprise when my third child was born as a type three determined child.  He stomped around, was loud, and had a lot of energy.  I was exhausted and wasn't sure where I had gone wrong with him.  This was the point in my life when I picked up The Child Whisperer.  As I read about type three determined children I could hardly believe that Carol was describing my child exactly!  I quickly realized that there wasn't anything wrong with my high energy, active, and determined child.  He just had a type three personality.

I understand my son so much better now and in turn can parent him much better.  I realized he needed more opportunities to get his energy out and he needed chances to complete big tasks and be kept busy doing constructive projects.  Now I know when I need a big project done like raking the yard, or cleaning up stacks of dishes he is the child to ask.  He loves big projects, which is true of type three children. As I continued to read about each energy type, Carol continued to describe each of my children exactly.  This lady really is amazing! 

Since finishing The Child Whisperer I have learned so much about each of my children, about myself, about my friends, and even acquaintances.  I love how I simply understand people now and why they do things a certain way or act a certain way.  I am a much better person and a much more patient person!

If you are struggling to connect with your children in any way I highly recommend picking up a copy of The Child Whisperer.  I also have TWO copies of The Child Whisperer to give away today!

To enter to win simply leave a comment telling me what you love most about being a mother or father.

And because I want to get the word out about The Child Whisperer so it can help as many parents as possible you can earn a second entry by pinning this post on Pinterest OR sharing this giveaway on Facebook/Twitter and then leave a separate comment telling me you did.

Giveaway ends August 20, 2015.

Good luck!


***

And the winners are . . .

Random.org pulled numbers 31 and 6. Congratulations Jenni and Kortney!  I will be contacting you shortly with the details.

***

Main Squeeze + A Giveaway! ****Giveaway Closed****

A friend was recently telling me about these handy little contraptions that are perfect for squeezing out every last drop of anything that comes in a tube--and because I'm a penny pincher I love them.  If you're a penny pincher you'll love them too. They're called Main Squeeze and I have fallen in love with them.  So have my kids.

The frugal side of me works hard to get every last drop out of my tubes and bottles and that is why I am thrilled with these little lovelies.  They are perfect for items in the bathroom like toothpaste, make-up, diaper rash cream, lotion, sunscreen or medicines.  They also come in handy in the kitchen for things like frosting or piping bags, and even work wonderfully for crafty things like paint or glue.

You simply slip them on the top of your tubes and they squeeze everything right down to the bottom.  My nine year old thinks they're just about the greatest thing ever since it prevents her three year old brother from making a squishy mess of the toothpaste tube.

I have to say I was really surprised how well it "smooshed" everything in my tubes down to the bottom and then how well it holds it's place without wiggling or moving around.  This Main Squeeze is really secure and works just how I had hoped!  Pretty cool, huh?

If you're wondering where to buy these beauties you can find them HERE.  And because I'm so thrilled with how well these work I want to share the love! I'm giving away one package of Main Squeezes to one lucky reader.  To enter to win simply leave a comment below telling me one thing you do to be frugal . . . and that's it.  Giveaway ends June 9, 2015 11:59 PDT.

And the winner is . . .

True Random Number GeneratorMin: Max: Result:2Powered by RANDOM.ORG

Bonnie!

Congratulations Bonnie on winning a package of Main Squeeze!  I know you'll love them as much as me.

Motherhood Realized

Have you heard of Power of Moms?  It's a wonderful site for moms--full of essays, podcasts, videos, and programs all geared toward moms.  If you haven't already, you need to go check it out!

Are you back? Ok. Recently they published a book titled, "Motherhood Realized"  which is a collection of essays about motherhood.

I was lucky enough to get my hands on a copy. This little book was chalk full of essays that made me think "yes!"  Some even brought tears to my eyes (which was a little embarrassing since I mostly read while in waiting rooms and at the park!)  I jotted down several of my favorite gems:

"You are exactly who your children need.  No one can fill your shoes."

"Your children want you!"

"I feel empowered to let go of my guilt, celebrate the progress that I have made, and accept that during this season of my life, motherhood is enough."

"... our fabulousness and greatness is often very ordinary."

"We might as well accept that the hard stuff is going to happen and prepare for it wherever possible. And once we've got that acceptance and preparation in place, it's a lot easier to enjoy our lives." 

"It is not always easy, but it is good."

"...when the sweet moments come, we need to breathe them in long and deep." 

I could honestly keep going and going. So many great thoughts!  So many things that helped me to refocus and become re-energized! I loved that at the end of each essay there was a question posed and a challenge issued, like this one:

Ask your children to tell you something they think is fabulous about you.  Write it down and place it somewhere you can see often.

Most of all I was reminded that motherhood is a sisterhood.  We're all in this together trying our very best.

And today we are offering an e-book version of both Motherhood Realized and their first book Deliberate Motherhood!  (Just in time for Mother's Day!)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

**I was given an ebook of Motherhood Realized to review but all opinions are my own.

Serving Pink Lemonade's Big Quiet Book Giveaway!

Thank you to everyone who joined me in sharing my quiet book games over the last few months.
(Find the series along with the free templates HERE.)

As promised, today starts Serving Pink Lemonade's Big Quiet Book Giveaway!

What does that include???

First . . .

One lucky winner will receive all five quiet book games!


(dry erase marker not included)

Five quiet book pages already made for you!  These pages practically make up a quiet book all by themselves.  Keep them for your own kids or give them away as a "homemade" gift (you don't have to tell them you didn't make them :)  These pages come separately--meaning the pages will not be sewn together in a book.  This way you can arrange them into your own quiet book however you'd like or divide the pages into separate quiet books and add your own pages to them.  Sweet!

Second . . .

Three more lucky winners will receive a copy of my book Quiet book Patterns!

Quiet Book Patterns includes 25 easy-to-make activities for your children.  This book is full of original quiet book ideas that are sure to keep your child's brain active and their hands happy!

Each page is formulated to help your child to learn through play--because that is how young children learn best!

The pages include fun ways for children to use their imagination, develop storytelling and problem solving skills, express creativity, improve hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills, as well as learn about sorting, color, and number recognition.  All of this and more through playing and having fun!

 Each book also contains a CD so you can easily print out the templates to make your book.   With simple instructions and templates in hand, I don't think there's an easier way to make a quiet book!

What are you waiting for?  Enter through rafflecopter below and be sure to tell your friends to stop by and enter too!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck!

Quiet Book Patterns Giveaway!

*** This giveaway is now closed ***

It's December!   I just love this time of year!  I can hardly believe how fast this year has flown by.

To celebrate the giving season I'm giving away another copy of my book Quiet Book Patterns!

Keep it for yourself or give it away to your crafty friend/sister/aunt as a gift this Christmas.

Already have a copy of my book?  I'd love to send you the link to the updated templates.  Please email me at servingpinklemonade@gmail.com along with an attached receipt or even just a picture of you and the book (something to show me you own a copy) if you'd like to receive the updates.  I'll respond with a link where you can get the updated templates at no cost to you.  These templates are exactly the same as what's in the book, just labeled for additional clarity.

Interesting in buying one?  Quiet Book Patterns can by found at Amazon, Barnes and Nobel, Deseret Book, and Cedar Fort.

To enter to win:

1. Simply leave a comment telling me what you'd like for Christmas this year.

Want a second chance to win?

2.  Post this giveaway on Facebook or "Like" my entry on Facebook sharing this giveaway.  Super simple!

3.  Then be sure to enter through rafflecopter below to make it count!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Quiet Book Pattern Winners!

Thank you to everyone who entered my Quiet Book Patterns giveaway!  I loved reading about everyone's good news!!!  And thank you for all your kind words about my new book.  You sure know how to make a girl's day!

Congratulations to Jessica W. and Danielle L. who are the winners of a new Quiet Book Patterns book!  I'll be contacting you soon.


Didn't win?  Don't worry!  You can buy your own copy here!