Month: September 2020

about me

Fall Into Fellowship

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Hey Loves!

We are moving full-steam ahead in our homeschool year and adjusting as we go. This past spring and summer were literally like no other I have experienced, both good and bad. We made lots of memories we wouldn’t have otherwise but oh how we missed people, travels and ya know, our things.

However, I kept adding things to my plate and not clearing away other things. This led to exhaustion, burnout, and something like emptiness. I was depleted in ways I hadn’t been in so long and in my crying out, seeking and listening, I started looking ahead to fall and this is what came to me: It is time for fellowship. Not just communing together but intentional supporting, connecting, uplifting and restoration.

I’m not sure about you, but if I had to guess I would say some part of the past six months has depleted you. Maybe something or someone was neglected, even just a little bit. Maybe you have realized how much you actually have and want to serve.

For me, the majority of 2020 took so much from me and I am taking it back and turning this year around. I’ve got little eyes watching my every move. I’ve got little ears hearing all my words, more specifically, all my complaints and groaning. I’ve got little hearts absorbing my anxieties and fears. I want more for all of us.

So, we are #fallingintofellowship. For 4 weeks we are supporting our neighborhood city and the world while we connect with each other and friends. I plan to uplift some friends and strangers and restore myself, our home and relationships.

Why? I mean, really, why would I now, heading into the last quarter of the year, sprint to win? The answer is simple. It is time. It is really that simple. It is time to fulfill our hearts and not live in a state of barrenness. I don’t mean any of that with physical things (although those are nice.) I mean with things you can’t buy-joy, peace, love and grace.

So, will you join me? Some friends and I have joined together to make this a challenge for all our friends via socials and I’d love for you to join us. All you have to do is share how you are connecting, supporting, restoring or uplifting! I’d love to have you. Also, I want to see it. Share what you are doing with the hashtag, #fallintofellowship.

Love you. Mean it.

Uncategorized

Ready? Set… BOO Baskets!

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Hey Loves!

Fall is here and I am welcoming it like its royalty. I mean, it is practically the reigning queen of the four seasons so why not? Today I am sharing with you something I have never done before-BOO Baskets. If you are new to this concept, allow me to try to explain. A boo basket, as I have to come to understand it, is a collection of Halloween festive items from decor to crafts to apparel presented to those you care about to celebrate the season and show your love for them.

I hadn’t done one before because I outsourced that stuff. I would load my kids up and go to multiple fall festivals, a few pumpkin patches, and a couple of trunk-or-treats all to prepare us for the main event: Trick-or-Treating on Halloween night

Enter COVID-19 and all of the above not happening… feel free to hear the violins playing and lament with me.

So, in my lamenting, I began to problem-solve and since I already had baskets, I just added what we needed to BOO them. My goal? To have one craft and one sweet treat a week. I wanted the crafts to be sustainable and be used to decorate their room this year and a couple of years after. I didn’t want a sugar overload but I also know this is the time when sugar just abounds so, at least this way, we can make sure all the ingredients are good to us. I threw in some other things because I AM EXTRA. I also wanted those memories that I get every year from the festivals and patches, not thethethrlocation but the joy of our hearts.

Ok, now to what you came here for. Links. I’ll be sure to share this in my Instagram Stories and do my best to save them in a highlight!

The pennant flags and monster coupons were free printables.

These lovely and completely cute BOO lava bead bracelets are from the insanely talented Amber from Chameleon Ave. She has gorgeous pieces for everyone and it’s great quality.

I purchased the craft tote bag, foam pumpkin, stickers, spin top, pencil and bracelets from the Dollar Tree. I’ve linked some other options as those must be purchased in-store.

From target, I grabbed the paper mâché pumpkin, fall leaf family jammies, stuffy, and gel window clings.

I made the vinyl decals on the two shirts with my silhouette portrait. I also sewed the mask and the scrunchie. I gathered the wand items from things I already had but I linked some cute options for everything.

The Usborne sticker book and magic painting book, I got from a UBAM consultant. You can shop the goods-books about everything, activity books, learning pallets- here. The books, Room On The Broom and Llama Llama Trick or Treat, as well as the Room On The Broom Activity Book can all be purchased on amazon.

Happy clicking and happy Fall, y’all!

Love you. Mean it.

Homeschool

Black History Resource from GooseGooseDuck

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Hey Loves!

If you follow me on Instagram, a week or so ago I shared with you that I had a surprise coming up. Well, here it is! Monica from GooseGooseDuck reached out to me kindly asked for my review, I was happy to do as I am always on the hunt for quality resources that share, explore and teach our history accurately. While this product was gifted to me, the reviews are my own opinions.

Price: $$

I was gifted the Don Lemmons learning pack which retails for $29.99. There is a bundle available for $99 that combines 4 different packs.

What’s included?

The short- so so much! The detailed breakdown: each pack comes with a bio, interactive activities, and lots of extension-learning opportunities in the areas of stem, literacy, creative arts, and math. The 36-page full-color pack is full of hands-on, interactive fun!

What I Love

What I really enjoyed, besides learning about an African American I was not familiar with was, the multiple ways to infuse this lesson and African American History into the day and align it with other teachings. This is the way to “teach” our history. Not just by facts recitation but through experiences and consistent alignments in your life.

Another thing I love about this- just about everything is included. The lessons are broken down by day, provide a list of materials and directions for the instructor and teaching prompts for the student. If you’re new here, you should now nothing delights my heart like thoroughness, and GooseGooseDuck hit the nail on the head.

They were so thorough that they reached out to the remaining descendants of Lemmons for information, context and to make sure they would be pleased.

The graphics from the depictions of Lemmons, stock graphics and graphics in other packs are all very accurate depictions and very ethnically inclusive.

I could go on and on but I’ll leave you with this, one pack includes all of the above for multiple age/grade levels and lets the instructor do as much or as little as they like. You can easily see the care and attention to so many details.

Between me and you, GooseGooseDuck has a hit in my book! You can learn more about them here and purchase a pack for you and your family here.

Love you. Mean it.

personal

Quarantine Couples Connection

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Hey Loves!

What week is this? I honestly have no idea. I do know that I am refocused, again, and trying my best to not look back and regret how I spent this time. I got a good groove of not rushing and re-establishing a base line of busy with the kids but quality couple-time was lacking! In short, before the #stayhome orders and pandemic life, the time my husband and I spent together and connected, whether it was 20 minuets or 2 hours, we didn’t have kids around we were rarely in our house. You see the problem?

Enter re-adjustments and more readjustments, friends.

Here is what had to happen.

1, Talk It Out: That’s right, peeps. Even after you’ve been in the same dwelling all day for a few months, you’ve collapsed asleep next to each other only to do the same thing the next day and the next. Now, you have to make time (which sounds crazy given our current state) and have a good ‘ole chat session. Discuss the good, the bad, and the ugly. Note, I said discuss not go for each other’s throats, Mortal Kombat style. Next, don’t stop at discussion, you’ve got to make a tangible action plan so each party has responsibilities and you all feel heard. Got it? Great.

2. Make A Plan: Legit, y’all. Plan dates, times, activities, food, etc. Don’t let a stone go unturned. I would advise one to maybe not go crazy and try everything they see on the interwebs… this may, or may not, be from personal experience.

Now to ideas!

  1. Virtual Double Date: That’s right! Contact your fav couple friends, select a date and time, and connect via google hangout or the Houseparty app! You all can do a movie night, guided painting via YouTube, game night (heads up, anyone?), dinner, or just a solid Kiki!
  2. Dessert and Drinks: I mean, do I need to explain here? Get simple or get fancy. Order in or make it at-home. There are so many possibilities here, it is not even funny.
  3. Make a “Pandemic Is Over” Bucket List: I know every state is different but maybe there is something you are definitely doing when it safe. Make it a date to make a list! Take it up a notch by doing the research and planning as much as you can so you can set the plans in motion as soon as it is safe.
  4. Movie Night: I know, the world has been “Nextflix and Chilling” for some years now but let’s elevate it! Rent a movie from various web retailers, make the popcorn of your dreams, grab all the movie snacks, and enjoy! The added plus is this can be way less expensive than actually going to the movies!
  5. Loom Journals: This is new to us and I am already in love. The Loom Couples Connection Journal allows each person to answer prompts, some related to your relationship and some not so much, once a week. It is designed by “relationship experts” with a goal to get couples connecting while making an “heirLOOM”. Get it? If this isn’t exactly your style, you can grab a blank journal and simply write love letters back and forth!
  6. Get Active: Head out on a hike, a walk, or do a workout together. This a great time to catch up and encourage each other.

Hope this helps y’all connect and come out this stronger!

Love you. And you. Mean it.

Family Activities

Fall Diverse Books Round-Up

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Hey Loves!

Today I am joining forces with my girl LaKeisha from Maya’s Book Nook to bring the first of a few installments of diverse reads for your littles. If you’ve been around for just a little bit, you know I believe two of the essential keys to raising allies is exposure and education and both can be attained through quality books with diverse protagonist, authors, and illustrators.

This round-up is focused on all things Fall- apples, leaves, ethic holidays and celebrations- and everything in between. Let’s get to it!

The Shadow In The Moon by Christina Matula: This book details the Mid-Autumn Festival celebrated primarily by those of Chinese Heritage. The protagonist and her Ah-ma take us through their celebration with a story that will have you and your littles on the edge of your seats and maybe wanting some of the mooncakes.

Sound of the Shofar by Leslie Kimmelman: Rosh Hashana is just one week away! (September 18, 2020). In this book, the meaning and celebrations both Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur are expertly explained in a way that is easily understood by non-Jewish families. It details each special part of the meal(s), fasting, and service(s) with concepts anyone can apply.

In The Leaves by Huy Voun Lee: Don’t we all love a fall trip to the local farm? Cooler temps, fall colors, and just the joy of goats and hayrides brings smiles to everyone. After reading this book, you can be armed with 10 new Chinese characters to remember and practice during your trip. Have fun!

One Leaf, Two Leaves, Count With Me! by John Micklos Jr.: Fall is a good time to remember the beauty of all the seasons, especially after the Spring and Summer that COVID-19 brought. Through this book, you count and examine each season with all the fun each one brings.

Apple Countdown by Joan Holub: From 20 to 1, take a class trip Applebee Farm. Through numbers, the reader shares in all the fun and problem-solving classmates encounter.

Salsa by Jorge Argueta: Hispanic Heritage Month begins September 15. With this book, the readers can explore the rich history and culture of the people group who cultivated this delicious appetizer. (Or if you are like me, meal. Salsa and chips is a meal.) The book, in English and Spanish, is beautifully illustrated and shares the love of the dish and the love between those sharing and making it.

Apple Picking Day by Candice Ransom: Who loves apple-everything season?!? We eat apples year round, but I like to take it up a notch in fall. Apple Picking Day would be a great read before taking the little ones apple picking. In the story, a brother and sister duo take us along as they visit an apple orchard. The simple, rhyming text is also good for early readers.

Goodbye Summer, Hello Autumn by Kenard Pak: As a young girl travels through her town and the forest, she greets all of the signs of fall’s arrival. The breeze is cooler, the leaves are changing, and animals are migrating south. I love the simple text with its accompanying message of how each animal or part of nature is preparing for fall.

Moon Festival Wishes by Jillian Lin: We love learning about various holidays and the traditions that go along with them, so here’s a second book on the Mid-Autumn Festival. It’s also known as the Chinese Moon Festival. This bilingual book not only follows Mei and her family as they prepare a big meal, it also provides background on how the festival came to be.

In Autumn/ En Otoño by Susana Manso: Written in both English and Spanish, this bilingual board book introduces our youngest readers to autumn as a young girl describes her favorite things about this time of the year. The seasons series from Blue Manatee Press is popular with us because of its vibrant photographs!

You can view just about of all these wonderful books here. Happy reading and learning.

Love you. Mean it.

Family Activities

Fall-ing In Love with Fall

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Hey Loves!

Can you feel it? Can you see it? Can you taste it? Yep, that is Fall coming in with cooler temps, warmer sunsets, and steaming cocktails. Yes, friends, Autumn abounds and I am here for it!

Y’all, being a Florida girl and not even seeing leaves change in real life until a year ago, you still couldn’t tell me Fall wasn’t where it’s at! Now, my husband has basically just resigned to being the person to help me put together things, make things, and eat all the goodies with me because isn’t that what Fall is all about???

I mean, if the picture above of all the things to do with apples didn’t clue you in on how much I love fall, maybe this will. Let’s have fun this Fall, y’all! Speaking of the picture, I’ll be using that as our apple fun guide, and, guess what???? I’ve got one for you too. Grab it right here!

Note: This download is free for personal use, but the credit line must be included (which just means to make sure that you don’t accidentally crop off the line with the website information at the bottom of the printable when you are reproducing it to hand out). It cannot be sold, published, or hosted on other websites. If you want to share printable though, please share a link to this post (not directly to the printable) with others. Thanks!

Graphics for this project were purchased from flaticon.com

Full disclosure, this pandemic life is not easy and I knew something was going to have to shake when James looked at me and said, “I really don’t want to wear real clothes. Just very comfortable things like pajamas all the time.” Same, James. Same.

So, first, get you some cozy loungewear, grab a note pad and let’s get to Fall fun-having, mmmkay!

Let’s talk Fall food and, no, not Thanksgiving. I’m talking everything apples… cider, pies, crisps, candied, coated, topped, and stuffed. I’m salivating as I type. If you have never gone apple picking, I highly recommend it. Like from my soul. I am going to do my best to get us there safely this year and with actual people (quaran-team is the best way to quarantine). No, we won’t be able to do a hayride and hang out there all day but I’ve got that handled and we will have fun and make memories home! After we inspect our haul, here comes the fun! We will make our own candy-apple dippers after we have a serious apple washing with the water table I made this summer, weather permitting. 

Next it is apple cider/apple doughnut poetry tea time about what? F. A L. L.

I even grabbed some playdoh and toy baking items my kids already had and made a little apple pie playdoh invitation. That with some re-purposed Christmas jammies, apple-themed shirts, and punch cards for treats, and what do you have? “Falling for You” baskets! Get it?

You don’t have to do everything I do or did but the point here is to take the season by the reigns and make all the memories, peeps. 

Have a ton of Fall fun. I’ve got more Fall memory-making ideas coming your way.

Love you. Mean It!

about me

New Product Alert!

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Hey Loves!

I am so so excited to share this with you. I have launched my very first product!!!! Friends, I am over-the-moon to share these with you and they have already gotten such good feedback.

Dealing with my boys anxiety, fears and just apprehension about certain things, I knew we needed reminders of who we are. Not what we want to be and what I feel like they can do, but who were truly are and who we are created to be.

I designed these to set a standard of reciting our beauty, worth and talents to knock down fear and anxiety. I needed my and your children to see the vast range of brown beauty. That was infinitely important to me.

I created 12 cards that can be used daily, weekly monthly or intermittently based on need or desire. They are coupled with an affirmation and a bible verse. You can preview them here.

You know what else? This is just the beginning. I released Volume 1 and  I have so much more up my sleeve!

Not to get ahead of myself because these cards, these affirmations, these simple yet profound truths are pillars and we all need them.

You can purchase them here.

Thank you for your support.

Love you. Mean it.