Giveaway Winner!

I asked Allen to help me with the giveaway drawing last night (since the kids has already gone to bed), and he lovingly obliged. See his video below.

 

Yay! Congratulations Allison Jensen! I will be contacting you in the next few days to get you hooked up! Thanks to everyone who participated!

 

 

Last Chance!

UPDATE: This giveaway is now closed.

The U-Printing label giveaway will be closing tomorrow night! They are a $40 value and would be an awesome addition to Christmas gifts, Christmas cards, anytime gifts, jelly jars or any other item that you make and give away. Since these are specifically for Duty Chronicles readers, your chances at winning are very good!

They could be used in so many different, creative ways. Use their logo tools to create something or upload your own photoshop creation.


Would you like to win 250 FREE personalized stickers? UPrinting.com is offering 250 Personalized Stickers for One (1) Winner from Duty Chronicles.

GIVEAWAY Prize Details:

- 250pcs Customizable Stickers for one winner

- 2x3.5" 70lb Label Matte, Front only printing

- 4 Business Days Turnaround time

- Free US shipping only

There are several ways to gain entries into this giveaway:

1st entry: "Like" U Printing on facebook by clicking the button below and leave me a comment letting me know you did. 

2nd entry: Give UPrinting a "plus" on Google Plus using the button below and then leave me a comment letting me know that you did.




*Additional entries can be gained by becoming a follower of the Duty Chronicles and leaving me a comment letting me know you did so. Also, let me know what you plan to do with the stickers!


One winner will be chosen at random on Tuesday, November 29th at 8 PM CST. Winner will be announced on Wednesday, November 30th.

UPrinting is an online printing company. Visit their website and find various printing services like canvas printing and more. They offer 1 Business Day Turnaround.

Disclaimer: This post and giveaway is sponsored by UPrinting. Please take a moment to view the products that Uprinting has to offer. Stickers are one of so many different products you can have printed through their website. Business cards, letterhead, calendars and greeting cards are just a few more.

This giveaway is sponsored by UPrinting and no monetary compensation was given.  Contest ends on November 29th.  Winner has 48 hours to respond to email or a new winner will be selected. Prize shipped direct from sponsor. Contest limited to US residents 18 years old and older.

Dutyisms

Taylor Joyisms:

My throat hurts bad...badder than earlier. I have a guess: last time when Beckett was sick (months before), I think I touched his hand and it made my throat hurt.

One day I was telling her the story of creation and mentioned that when a man and woman leave their own families, they join together in marriage and instead of being two people, God sees them as one. Taylor Joy said,
"oh yeah, it's because they get close to each other and they have to stand next to each other." (she also mentioned a certain couple in our church who couldn't stop kissing each other during their wedding...cough, cough).

While doing our volcano experiment, she said, "Hurry Beckett! The volcano's going to interrupt!" (erupt...sweet girl. Please stay 5).

Beckett -isms:

At school one day, Taylor Joy shifted in her chair and passed some gas. She very politely said, "oh, excuse me!" Beckett responded with this:

"Sissy, just stop tooting and focus!"

Easton - isms:

I go a moon! (running toward the moon). Mommy come a moon wif me?

Wabas comin' out da ball-cano! (lava is coming out of the volcano - while doing an experiment with the kids)

An interaction between me and Easton during family worship:
M- Easton, only God can change your heart.
E- No! Only God change my diaper!

Easton and I were eating lunch in the treehouse one day when we saw a squirrel. Easton shrieked and the squirrel looked around. Easton said, "I scare a squirrel!" Although, apparently the squirrel liked it, he ended up coming right over to us (like within a foot). When he left, Easton said, "you save me, Mommy?

While riding on Daddy (all 3 on his back), he grabs fist-fulls of Allen's hair and yells, "I got you hair!"

Homeschool Update

Homeschooling is going so well. I haven't updated until now, but all of 12 weeks so far have been so fruitful. I, also, am learning so much as their teacher. Isn't this how it always goes? There is so much out there that I either forgot or never had the opportunity to learn. So, here's to filling in the gaps of my childhood and school days! I hope to update at least a couple times a semester so that I can make a scrapbook of all that Taylor Joy learned this year and let it be a reminder to her in the future.

Science has been a fun subject and our "exploration days" generally fall on Fridays, so Dad is charge of most of the experiments that we do. We have learned much on the topics of:

• seasons
• the parts of a plant
• trees
• different types of seeds
• ants
• thunder and lightning
• rain
• rivers
• volcanoes
• oceans
• the sun and
• the planets!

Here is a picture of the water filter we made one week:

Allen put pieces of an old t-shirt on the bottom and gravel on the top. Beckett had the job of making the water all muddy (a job he was way too excited about!).

We punched holes in the bottom and then poured in the muddy water 

to see if our filter would actually work.

Waiting...

Yay! It worked. Slowly, but surely the clean (ish) water poured out of the bottom of the carton.

We have also been learning the books of the Old Testament and both Beckett and Taylor Joy know almost all of them. We have made a timeline starting at the beginning of creation and adding in each story from the Bible that we learn about. Taylor Joy has been illustrating her Bible Notebook, as displayed below:

We've learned the geography of the Bible lands map and
even copied the Greek alphabet (Allen was so proud!)

She is also learning how to draw animals. Here is a page from her Art Spiral:

As we talked about the days of creation, we had a Feast Day to represent our Sabbath Day, which included fine china, candles lit, a blessing from Dad on all the family members, authentic Challah, and grape juice all around. Such a fun family night.

One of the things I wrote on my thankful leaf last night was: 

that I get to be the one who teaches my kids.

Truly, what an awesome privilege. 

Lord, help me to see the blessing even when it's hard, even when my 2 year old is eating playdoh, even when its just one thing on my long list of things to get done.

( a video of our volcano experiment)

*yes, the kids are in their pajamas. don't judge ;)

U Printing {Giveaway}

UPDATE! This giveaway is now closed.

 

Winner: Allison Jensen

I have been seeing these personalized stickers at cute parties, used for favor bags, wrapped around water bottles, and used on blank note cards that say things like, "thank you for making my birthday so special!".

I've also seen them used as address labels and return labels, of course.

Slap them on the back of your Christmas card or envelope this holiday season with an invitation to view your blog, email address or just a special greeting or scripture.

They could be used in so many different, creative ways. Use their logo tools to create something or upload your own photoshop creation.


Would you like to win 250 FREE personalized stickers? UPrinting.com is offering 250 Personalized Stickers for One (1) Winner from Duty Chronicles.

GIVEAWAY Prize Details:

- 250pcs Customizable Stickers for one winner

- 2x3.5" 70lb Label Matte, Front only printing

- 4 Business Days Turnaround time

- Free US shipping only

There are several ways to gain entries into this giveaway:

1st entry: "Like" U Printing on facebook by clicking the button below and leave me a comment letting me know you did. 

2nd entry: Give UPrinting a "plus" on Google Plus using the button below and then leave me a comment letting me know that you did.




*Additional entries can be gained by becoming a follower of the Duty Chronicles and leaving me a comment letting me know you did so. Also, let me know what you plan to do with the stickers!


One winner will be chosen at random on Tuesday, November 29th at 8 PM CST. Winner will be announced on Wednesday, November 30th.

UPrinting is an online printing company. Visit their website and find various printing services like canvas printing and more. They offer 1 Business Day Turnaround.

Disclaimer: This post and giveaway is sponsored by UPrinting. Please take a moment to view the products that Uprinting has to offer. Stickers are one of so many different products you can have printed through their website. Business cards, letterhead, calendars and greeting cards are just a few more.

This giveaway is sponsored by UPrinting and no monetary compensation was given.  Contest ends on November 29th.  Winner has 48 hours to respond to email or a new winner will be selected. Prize shipped direct from sponsor. Contest limited to US residents 18 years old and older.

Cook Up Some Fun with Your Kids!

Emily Patterson has some wonderful insights about cooking with kids that she wanted to share with us. I thought it appropriate since the season of baking is upon us. 

Cooking with your kids should be fun, but let's be honest, sometimes it can get kind of stressful - flour is flying, somebody is screaming and 30 minutes just got added to your dinner prep.  I read a helpful book that gracefully pointed out that our kids are not trying to be overwhelming. They are kids and they are curious and it could be a wonderful learning opportunity if we could relax about stepping in flour and about it not turning out perfect. She also, thankfully, pointed out that there are times to have them help and there are times when you say, "today isn't a good day, sweetie."  I have to remember all of this in the moment and I hope you will too. I think the Emily's tips could prove helpful to us as we are cooking up some fun in the kitchen with our kids this holiday season!

Cooking Up Fun with Your Kids!

Submitted on behalf of Primrose Preschools by Emily Patterson (@epatt1062)

The kitchen is a true source of wonder for young children. Unfortunately, it’s also a source of great danger. There are ways to let your child safely help you in the kitchen. It’s a fantastic way to bond with your little ones while imparting lessons about math and science while creating memories that will be cherished the rest of their lives.

1. Let your child help to his or her full extent. Simply stirring the pancake mix is fine for a five-year old, but older children can easily handle flipping the pancakes as they cook. A three-year may require more assistance when cutting cookies, but you can allow a seven-year old to be more creative with the process. Consider your own child’s physical abilities and willingness to follow directions when deciding how much responsibility they can handle in the kitchen.

2. Rules are necessary, especially in the kitchen. Let your child know what is off-limits for her own safety. Teach children of all ages to always wash their hands before handling the food and remind them throughout the experience not to touch their hair or face when cooking. Talk about cleaning up the kitchen as you go. Encourage your child to help with this necessary aspect of cooking any meal.

3. Safety is vital when little ones are helping in the kitchen. Turn all handles on pots so they are turned in towards the back wall. Pay attention to the burners and temperature settings to ensure they aren’t accidentally adjusted. Take care when pouring hot liquids, opening the stove or moving pans around. Talk to your child about the importance of hot pads and trivets for protecting yourself and the kitchen counter.

4. Build on the skills as your child grows. As your child learns to read numbers, let her measure out water. As he discovers fractions, let him handle measuring out other ingredients. Allow your child to read the recipe to you and teach them about math in the process. Let your older children help with cutting soft items and allow them to work their way up to cutting harder foods. If an electric mixer will be used, let your older child try his hand at running the mixer to achieve the proper consistency.

5. Above all, keep the process fun. The point of this experiment is to enjoy the time with your child and impart some cooking skills in the process. Offer guidance throughout the process, but let your son handle the tasks he is capable of. Remember that it won’t be perfect and it probably won’t be to your standards, but if they are trying hard they should still be complimented and encouraged.

Once the meal is finished, thank your child for her help. Let him know that he made a big difference in getting this important task done. Allow your little one to have the first taste of the finished product. Invite them to help you again so you can instill a love of cooking at an early age.

And I'll leave you with a fun kids' recipe to try with your little ones:

Blueberry Pancake Triangles 
Pampered Chef

1/2 tsp. butter or margarine
1 C. all-purpose baking mix
1/2 C. milk
1 egg
1/2 C. blueberries
Powdered sugar
Maple syrup

With adult help, set oven to 425 degrees. Put butter in small pan and spread using a paper towel.
Put baking mix in mixing bowl. Add milk and the egg. Whisk just until the large lumps disappear. Pour the batter into the pan and then sprinkle the blueberries over the batter.
With adult help, bake the pancake for 13-15 minutes or until the top is light golden brown. Carefully remove pan from the oven.
Sprinkle powdered sugar over the top of the pancake and cut into 6 squares. Cut each square in half from corner to corner to make 12 triangles. Serve with syrup to dip. Enjoy!

Apple of My Eye {Mother/Daughter Event}

What a sweet blessing this was to be a part of and to see mothers pouring into their relationships with their daughters!  Several moms got together and planned this adorable event, appropriately named, 

Apple of My Eye. 

We asked moms to take their daughters out to eat on a "mommy date" and then bring them to the church to do fun activities together and to enjoy each others' company. We put everything together so all they had to do was show up to enjoy quality time with their little princess (or princesses).

 We started off with prayer and then explaining what the night would entail...a main part of the night being that they would get to make an Apple Brown Betty with their moms! So what better way for them to get an idea of what they are making than to eat some? With ice cream on top, of course!

Then we gave them a demonstration on how to peel, core and chop the apples
and let the girls go to work on their apples.

Then we went to assembling the betties with layers of bread crumbs, apples, 

brown sugar, cinnamon and butter. Mmmm...can't go wrong there!

 There might have been some taste testers...

The mothers and daughters laughed, smiled and maybe even cried watching the video that we put together. Having videoed them earlier in the week, they were able to hear each others' responses about how God made them special. And after that,  a fun devotional about how we are the apple of God's eye, the finale of His creation and how we can live in light of that. The moms were able to discuss at their tables and pray over their girls. To seal the night with perfection, we had a beautiful song that was sung over us (Beloved, By the Tree).

We gave the girls these sweet apple patches, in hopes that we can give the girls a patch for each Mother/Daughter event that we have and give them a special embroidered bag or apron to sew them onto so they can remember the sweet times and the special skills that they learned.

Some fun questions we asked each other: 

Daughters:

1.   What is your favorite outfit your Mom wears? What is your favorite way she fixes her hair?

2.   Would you rather see your Mom dance, hear her sing, or look at something she crafted/ drew/ or painted? Give an example.

3. What is your favorite “girl time” thing you do with your Mom? 

4.   If you could go on a trip with your Mom ANYWHERE you wanted, where would you go and what would you do?

Mothers:

1.   Use your best adjectives to describe the things you love about your daughter’s personality.

2.   If you could go on a trip with your daughter ANYWHERE you wanted, where would you go, and what would you do?

3.   What is one of your sweetest, first memories of your daughter?

4.   What unique and wonderful things do you see in how God has created your daughter? What gifts have you noticed that God has given her?

Special thanks goes to:

Sarah Ezell for the wonderful pictures.

Sarah Saunders, Taylor Walling, Kelsey Roberts and Beth Cloutier for setting everything up for us and cleaning up our mess. What servants they were to us!

Lindsay Bickham and her amazing, God-given voice that she used to sing God's truth over us.

Lynsey Kramer, Kirby Apel, Jenn Bacak and Ashley Kinnard for their help in the planning and in making it actually happen. 

Thank you, all of you! 

What a special night that will always be remembered!

Apple Betty Recipe Cards