Family fun…

WOW – okay I just found this sitting in my “DRAFT” section… apparently I never posted this one. My little man shown in the picture below is turning SEVEN next week…

Such a scary thought, thinking about how time flies so much faster than we want it to. I also have my baby girl… who turns FOUR in June. Where the heck did the time go?  

Anyway, this one made me laugh a little, considering I wrote it in 2016… apparently I predicted COVID, and the boredom we would be facing in our homes. Below is my post without any editing!

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Have you ever been sitting at home, kinda bored seeing those same four walls, and wondering what to do? Around here, that’s a sure sign that we need to get outdoors.

My Little Man LOVES the great outdoors. He will actually stand at the baby gate, pointing downstairs and start crying – because he cannot yet say that he would like to go play outside.

There are a variety of places to go where I am living now – remote Northern Ontario – but the mall is definitely not one of them (which consists of a bank, restaurant and the Bargain Shop!)

Soooo, we play in the backyard, either in the backyard or on the deck (which so needs a face lift)

Sometimes we play on the front lawn, or go for a walk down our quiet dirt road.

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This is PRETTY MUCH EXACTLY what we do now for fun once my son is done his digital schooling (we are currently on full lockdown and all schools are closed. We have moved homes, no longer have a deck, still have a quiet dirt path to walk down when we get squirrely). I hope you are all doing well. Big hugs to all those in need of company but not allowed to have people over. 

Dolphin Island

After losing her parents, 14-year-old Annabel lives with her grandfather on a Caribbean island paradise. She goes to school and lives a seemingly happy life, also getting to swim with her best friend, a dolphin named Mitzy. Everything changes when her maternal grandparents arrive with an extremely shifty lawyer to bring her back to New York – who haven’t seen her in nearly a decade. It’s up to Annabel, and her friends, to figure out how to save the day and prove that love conquers all!

Head on over to the Caribbean from the comfort and safety of your home by going to DolphinIslandMovie.com

~ WIN a FREE digital code to see this 2021 movie. Read to the bottom to enter! Everyone will win somethin!

Dolphin Island stars Peter Woodward (The Patriot), Dionne Lea (No Bad Days), Tyler Jade Nixon (Dolphin Kick), Bob Bledsoe (Parks & Recreation), David Raizor (You Can’t Take My Daughter), and introducing Annette Duncan and Aaron Borrow. The film is directed by Mike Disa (Space Dogs & Hoodwinked Too!) and produced by Shaked Berenson (Space Dogs & A Tiger’s Tale), and written by Disa, Berenson and Rolfe Kanefsky (Puppy Swap: Love Unleashed).

According to Dove.com Dolphin Island is Dove-approved for All Ages. Kids First gave Dolphin Island a Recommended age 7-18. I feel it might be aimed more at Tweens but was still interesting enough for myself as an adult. The movie itself has a slower paced than typical Hollywood films, but that seems to suit the Island lifestyle being portrayed.

Here are some of the things Dove stated, in regards to the movie (if wondering if acceptable for younger children).

• Faith: Grandmother prays that Anna’s life will be spared. [I did not find this film to be religious.]
• Integrity: Transformations from selfish motivation to heartfelt apologies.
• Sex: Kissing between adults.
• Language: Shut up [said 2x]
• Violence: Some well disguised punches/slaps between adults.
• Drugs / Nudity: None
• Other: Depictions of theft and deceit; manipulation by the Mr. Carbunkle.

While the film itself is not overtly Christian, there is a Discussion Guide available by the makers of the film to explore themes of courage, forgiveness, and faith if that is something you are interested in reading. There are scriptures, questions for discussion / personal reflection and devotional videos in each of the 5 sessions from Annette Lovrien Duncan, who plays Annabel’s grandmother in the film.

Leave a comment for an additional entry (don’t forget to include under which name in the contest form above). Do you have a dolphin lover in your home who wishes they could trade lives with Annabelle. Is there anything you would like me to post about? Want to keep seeing blog posts, reviews, contests and more?? What kind of content should I work on? Let me know!!

And as always, I appreciate any shares to social media of my blog!! PLUS you get added entries!

And now, please Follow Mitzy below and enter the contest to win a digital copy of this movie for you and your family.

Contest is open to all permanent residents from the United States and Canada.

Pls see Contest Terms and Conditions for more information.

Let the Little Children Come

Let the Little Children Come aims to provide gospel lessons for children. Rather than just a boring verbal lesson or a plain picture / colouring page they help to keep children’s attention and to convey the message to children living in the “golden age of technology and visual inputs”. The gospel tracts are all specially designed to capture and hold the attention of children, while not distracting them from the core message of salvation through Jesus Christ.

Here is a sample video from their website to show how these gospel tracks could work.

Here are a few photos I took from the samples I received that will be donated to a local church in my area:

 

There are pop-up books, bracelets, and these “moving” picture books as well as many more things. If this is something you would like to know more about here is the link to their site.  Each package has 10 different things within them, or they can be ordered separately.

**MommaKauk received this sample package free of charge. I was asked to share about this product but was not paid in any manner other than the free samples.

 

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AND… speaking of letting the little children come, if anyone was wondering where I had disappeared to this past year… we have begun another adventure. My little bundle of sleepless joy was born 5 months ago. This time pregnancy was not so wonderful, but I am back and starting to feel better, though lacking sleep!

 

 

Christmas is quickly approaching. . . be sure to spend a little time with your loved ones. The physical presents do not matter, its about the feeling of Christmas and spending time with those close to your heart. Let the little ones come to you, spend time with them, love them… and smile. Even in my lack of sleep delirium I know that this too will pass – and far too quickly.

Where Jesus Slept

This beautifully illustrated book surpassed my expectations. We all know that Jesus slept in a manger filled with straw, but this book goes on to show us the cow that shared the straw that lined the bed where Jesus slept, and the stable, the cow. Then there was the Angel, and quaking lamb, the shepherd, star and wise men… you get the idea.

Each page is filled with amazing pictures that really help to capture the reader attention with several bible passages included. This is perfect for anyone who believes with children to read at Christmas, and any time of the year!!!

A free book will be awarded to Candi M.  Congrats for winning this through my initial Facebook post!

 

Available in many places at varying costs – including Amazon.com, ChristianBook.com, GoodReads, BarnsAndNoble

About the Author
Norma Lewis is the author of ten books, including Connecting the Coasts: The Race to Build the Transcontinental Railroad and Kasey’s River Song. She lives in Grand Haven, Michigan, with a marmalade cat named Scalawag. They both love spending time with her six grandchildren, ranging in age from three to twenty.

About the Illustrator
Katy Hudson was raised in Middlesbrough, United Kingdom, and started her career as a small child drawing on freshly painted walls! Her parents quickly encouraged drawing with pencil and paper instead. The idea stuck, and after earning a degree in illustration, Katy embarked on a career illustrating books, including All Things Bright and Beautiful for WorthyKids/Ideals and Bear and Duck. Katy works at a desk in a studio in an old library and likes to tap dance in her spare time.

Mr. Zip

Mr. Zip and The Capital Z is a history filled novella written from the perspective of Peanut – our main character. This book is really well written. It’s so different from other books I have read in the past and transports not only the character but you too into the past. When Peanut touches something in the store he sees, hears and/or is transported into the past where something from history is happening. Throughout the book, there are beautiful illustrations drawn by the author’s husband – a very talented family indeed!

Check out this book trailer from YouTube

You can also check out this interview of the author talking about her book!

This book is available from many different locations.

You can check out their own website: http://www.mrzipbooks.com/

As well as Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, BAM and IndieBound 

Book: Mr. Zip and The Capital Z
Written by: Kimberly Bryant-Palmer
Illustrated by: Jerry Palmer

Summary by the Author

After a terrifically hard and terribly disappointing day Peanut Johnson stumbles upon The Capital Z, a This and That Shop. Stepping inside, he meets Mr. Aloysius Zip – the kind and eccentric shopkeeper – who introduces Peanut to a most wondrous place. There are toys and trinkets, model cars and miniature wagon trains, even memorabilia from days gone by.

Discovering “everything from A to Z” inside The Capital Z, Peanut also finds history unfolding before his very eyes. Touching a Kentucky rifle hanging on the shop wall, he is transported to the wilderness where he sees his Great-Great-Great-Great Uncle Milkweed Johnson fighting in Andrew Jackson’s regiment during the War of 1812. George Washington’s sword brings Peanut onto the battlefield where the General, on horseback, dodges bullet after bullet. And while staring at a beautiful stained-glass window depicting the building of the Tower of Babel, Peanut finds himself in a crowd of angry and confused spectators, all speaking a different language!

But Peanut’s visit to The Capital Z turns out to be much more than a journey through history. As he peers into the past with his Uncle Milkweed and some of America’s greatest leaders, he finds the courage to face his own mistakes, taking his first steps from boyhood to those of a young man.

• MommaKauk was shipped a complimentary copy of the book and asked to share it with you. I was not asked to rate this positively nor told what to write.

VeggieTales

I was offered this book in exchange for my honest opinion AND to give away on my blog! There is one story for every single day of the year which has a Bible passage, short message and prayer. My toddler is only 2.5 years old and he is able to repeat the prayers after I say them. Each page has a different veggieTales character at the bottom as well. My son loves seeing the new pictures each day, and it’s short enough that it keeps his attention. I have the book for boys – not sure if there are different stories / characters in the one for girls as I have not seen that one.

About the Book by the author:

Every Day with God is the latest 365-day devotional (one for boys and another for girls) from VeggieTales. The updated content and art offer the perfect opportunity for parent and child to share time together each day. Each entry includes a Bible verse, short devotion, Thought of the Day, and prayer. The content will help children learn more about God and develop a daily practice to keep Him close in their lives. The book is perfect for bedtime reading, family devotion time, or as a fresh way to start each day!

Format: Trade paperback
Page Count: 384
Book Size: 5 X 7.25
Retail Price: $9.99 (USA) or 
Reading Age: 4-7

If you would like to buy a copy for yourself here are the USA links For Girls and For Boys   Live in Canada?  Here are the .CA links For Girls and For Boys

Winner decides which of the two books they would like to have.

 ——>   CLICK HERE TO ENTER  <——–

 

 

And now for the boring stuff I have to add in…. 

Odds of winning depend on the number of entries. One winner to be selected. Prize is sent by FlyBy and not MommaKauk. The winner will be selected through Rafflecopter and I will not influence or skew those results.

“Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the
Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post. Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway.  If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller / FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win.  Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.”

Baby Baby

Baby, Baby! is a short board book that has babies as the primary focus.  It uses lots of colours and kept my sons attention through the entire book!! It uses a rhyming pattern to make it more melodic when being read aloud – but every second page has the rhyme since it is short sentences. It also teaches/reminds children at the end that they are always loved by God – and also has a large reflective surface/mirror at the end.

The book is recommended for children 1-3 years old.

It was written by Diane Stortz and illustrated by Ailie Busby. It is currently available on Amazon.com for $7.99, or Amazon.ca for $10.99

I thought that this book was pretty awesome and ran a giveaway on my facebook page. It was open to anyone who commented, lived in Canada or the United States, and used the hashtag #BabyBaby.

Tracey C.

Thank so you much to everyone who entered and/or shared my post. I will contact the winner via facebook!

 

 

 

 

My French Creation!

Hey guys!  I feel like it has been forever since I last wrote a blog post! I’ve been teaching French as a Second Language, and I have continued to review products. I’ve been reviewing so many I’ve gotten my Amazon rank under 200!!!!!   It’s been crazy busy with just those two things alone, let alone keeping up with housework and Little Man, but just to make sure I was not too bored,

I am also finishing an additional qualification online course in order to get my certificate to teach French all the time.  One of the final assignments in the class asked me to write a blog post!  Since I have a blog I’ve been sorely neglecting, I thought I would post it here. If you would like the English translation, let me know in the comments below!!!! If you speak/read french… let me know what you think of my assignment!!!

 

“Composez un blog pour partager des idées pratiques, des suggestions et des activités pour le FLS qui touchent aux diverses méthodes d’évaluation, qui répondent aux besoins différents des élèves et qui encourage les pensées plus élevées selon la taxonomie de Bloom.”  (Give ideas, suggestions and activities for FSL affecting the evaluation methods that encourage higher order thinking based on Bloom’s taxonomy).

 

 

Il y a 6 niveaux dans la taxonomie de Bloom. La première est connaître. Ceci est le façon la plus simple de montrer votre connaissance en identifiant ce que vous savez. Un exemple de cela est répondre aux questions de choix ou faire des listes.

 

Le second est comprendre. Ceci est un peu plus difficile car vous devais expliquer et démontrer votre compréhension. Un exemple de ceci serait un texte résumant, donnant une description détaillée, donner une définition et puis en donnant des exemples, etc.

 

Le troisième est appliquer. Pour ce niveau d’évaluation les élèves vont appliquer l’information qu’ils savent déjà pour résoudre un problème nouveaux qu’ils n’ont pas vu avant. Cependant, ils utilisent des connaissances et des compétences précédemment acquise pour résoudre le problème. Un exemple de ceci est l’application d’une règle de grammaire à des phrases qu’ils ont pas vu avant.

Le quatrième est analyser. Les étudiants examinant une section ou partie, en profondeur, afin de les aider à comprendre la grande image. Les étudiants seront généralement comparent ou déconstruire à ce niveau d’évaluation. Cela pourrait même inclure l’analyse leur propre travail et d’expliquer ce qu’ils ont fait avant, pendant et après la lecture d’un texte pour comprendre ce qu’ils ont lu.

 

Le cinquième est Évaluer. Les élèves doivent expliquer la raison derrière ce qu’ils ont fait. Ils pourraient faire une critiquer ou résumer information. Un exemple serait regarder du travail qu’ils ont accompli et ensuite faire une auto-évaluation. Pour certains cela pourrait être le plus difficile type d’évaluation.

La sixième et dernière, est créer. Dans ce dernier niveau, les élèves créent quelque chose eux-mêmes, que ce soit une œuvre d’art, une pièce de théâtre, ou une présentation de PowerPoint ou même d’un autre méthode – pour démontrer leurs connaissances. Dans mon cas, ce blog est ma pièce de création!

Think BIG, think deeper….CREATE!

*All of the pictures used in this post were located using a Google search. I do not own the rights to any of them.