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JDaniel4s Mom

growing & learning with him

Deirdre Smith writes/owns JDaniel4’s Mom. After twenty years as a elementary school and technology resource teacher in Northern Virginia, she became a stay at home mom in upstate South Carolina. Her blog features ways she and her 5 year old are exploring learning, crafting, creating healthy meals and living life to its fullest. Deirdre can also be found on twitter as @jdaniel4smom and on her blog's FB page. You can also check her out on Google+.

My New Year’s Baby!

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JDaniel has decided it is time to have a baby in the house. No, I am not going to have another little one. This baby is a stuffed dog. A few months ago I jokingly put his favorite stuffed animal Eckel in a swim diaper. After I took it off ,JDaniel would go and get diapers for Eckel a few times a week. I would explain that Eckel didn’t need a diaper, Mommy was just being silly and put the diaper back in the bathroom. Well, JDaniel finally got Eckel into a swim diaper last week. He doesn’t want it taken off either. Eckel needs it.

The next thing JDaniel decided Eckel had to have was a baby blanket. I was packing up the last of the baby blankets to get ready to consign them. They were quickly absconded and taken to a different part of the room. JDaniel ended up creating a nest to sit in with the baby blankets. Later he carried one around and kept repeating, “Baby,baby,baby.” “No,” I told him, “We don’t have a baby in our house. We have a toddler.” “Eckel baby,” I was told as he handed Eckel the blanket. Now Eckel has to wear a diaper and carry a blanket around or be wrapped in it all the time.

I am hoping the Eckel will stop wearing diapers and will give up the blanket soon. Until then I have a new baby in the house.

Personalized Calendar by Tukaiz Giveaway

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Did you forget someone on your Christmas list? Did you need a fun gift a family member or friend that has a birthday in January? Do you need a calendar to start the New Year? Tukaiz Productions may have just what you need. Each month’s picture has a personalized picture like leaves on the ground spelling out their name or snow on a car that appears as if someone took their finger and drew the name right on the windshield. Tukaiz has two set of pictures to choose from. They call each set a Smile Set. I really like Set Two. The March layout with the name written in lily pads is so cute. Set two also has the name written with fish, on beach towels, and on the back of a butterfly. Set one has some fun layouts too.

What do you need to do to get a desk or wall calendar?

-Tell me which Smile Set you like best along with whether you would want a desk or wall calendar. (1 entry)
For extra entries do any or all of the following leaving a separate comment for each entry.

*Tell me something else Tukaiz sells. (1 entry)

*Send a Smile e-card to a friend and tell me that you did. (1 entry)

*Write about this giveaway with a link back to it on Facebook or another social network site. (1 entry)

*Follow my blog. Leave me a comment saying that you now follow or that you already do. (1 entry)

* Twitter about this giveaway with a link back, you must also be following me on Twitter. Copy and paste: Personalized Calendar@JDaniel4smom.(1 entry per day)

* Subscribe to my blog. Leave me a comment saying that you have subscribed or that you already do. (1 entry)

*Add me to your blogroll. Please leave a link to your site.(3 entries)

*Add my button to your blog. Please leave a link to your site.(3 entries)
*Favorite me in Technorati! (7 entries)

That is 10 ways to win. The winner will be chosen by using the random number generator at http://www.random.org/

This giveaway begins December 30th and ends January 5th at 11:59 p.m.

It will take two weeks for the calendar to get to you once this giveaway ends.




A Family New Year’s Eve Party

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Kate H. is my youngest sister. She is the mother of two, an adjunct college instructor, war veteran, and so much more. She is very creative. I thought you would enjoy hearing about how she celebrates New Year’s Eve with her family and friends.

We invite over 3 families with children around 7pm. They are encouraged to bring an appetizer or dessert to share. We play family games with the kids.

Last year I used a cut-out Snowman from a Holiday card and we played secret snowman where the kids try to secretly attach the snowman (I put strong tape on the back) to someone. If the person notices them they need to try another person. It was great fun. The kids could not keep a straight face, but the adults pretended not to notice when the snowman was stuck to their backs. (This year the kids got Operation, and I Spy board game and Farmyard Uno so we will probably stick with board games.)

As 8 p.m. approached we break out the tacky paper hats and noise makers. I found some plastic champagne glasses at a discount store and we serve sparkling grape juice.

We have a battery operated clock in our kitchen which I take down and reset the time to make 8 pm turn magically into midnight. At midnight we toast each other and shout Happy New Year. This year I think we will make confetti because Charlie’s teacher said he needs to practice cutting.

How do you celebrate with your family?


Muffin Tin Monday- New Year’s Day

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JDaniel had a New Year’s Muffin Tin today. It contained confetti fruit salad, New Year’s ball drop tomatoes, ham, black eyed peas, and apple slices cut into 2010. He loved all of it.

Bumpy Start to Christmas with a Great Ending

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It really looked like it was going to be rough Christmas. My dad called to say that he had driven down from Virginia, but was spending the night before Christmas in a hotel. He had been sick all day and was worried he would keep up us. I wondered on Christmas Day would he still be sick. (I said a prayer for his health.) My husband was a little late in going to pick up my mom for Christmas dinner because one of the toilets was plugged up. (I prayed the plumbing won’t back up again.)I called my mom to tell her we were a little behind in coming together and she told me she was exhausted due to not sleeping all night. (I prayed she would enjoy her time with us.)When she got here I let the kitchen towel my mom had used to cover her corn casserole get to close to a burner and it got burnt. Thankfully the exhaust fan was already on and no one smelled the smoke. I was able to put out the small flame by running it under water. (I prayed I won’t burn anything else.)

Christmas lunch was supposed to be at 11:30. It had to be moved to 12:00. By then everything was on the table and ready to go. My family was in good spirits. Everyone got seconds of the things they liked best. It was a great ending to an interesting morning.

Jesus Lives Devotional Guide Review and Giveaway

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In the next week you will be making resolutions for the next year. Some of you may resolve to spend more time with God and seek out a good devotional guide. I have been reading Jesus Lives by Sarah Young during the month on December. It is a wonderful little book of almost a half a year’s worth of thoughts based on scripture. Sarah Young has written very practical pieces that address everyday struggles for Christians. Each piece is written as if God is speaking directly to you about the ways He will guide you through those struggles. Along with a devotional piece there are three or four scriptures that further illustrate and support it. Each devotional piece has a theme and most of the themes are repeated throughout the book. You could go through this book in order or by theme if you desire.

I have read a number of devotional books. Some were sweet and tender thoughts about God. Some were written in very intellectual prose. Jesus Lives is tender in some places, but very really and challenging in others. I have been drawn back to reread some of the devotions over and over again. They have really made me think about my relationship with God and how I live my life. If you are looking to grow in your daily walk with God, this would be great book to use.

Here is a sample of one passage on trails: “…The best way to lay your problems down is: Bring them to Me. Unburden yourself by pouring your heart to Me, for I am your Refuge. As you release your woes to Me (even temporarily), your vision improves and you can see me more clearly. Linger with Me while My Light shines powerfully into your heart…”(taken from p. 12 of Jesus Lives)

I have really enjoyed spending time reading Jesus Lives this month and would love to pass on this special book to one of you.

How can I win it?
*Tell me how you plan to use the book if you win it. (1 entry)

For extra entries do any or all of the following leaving a separate comment for each entry.

*Write about this giveaway with a link back to it on Facebook or another social network site. (1 entry)

*Follow my blog. Leave me a comment saying that you now follow or that you already do. (1 entry)

* Twitter about this giveaway with a link back, you must also be following me on Twitter. Copy and paste: JesusLivesGiveaway@JDaniel4smom.(1 entry per day)

* Subscribe to my blog. Leave me a comment saying that you have subscribed or that you already do. (1 entry)

*Add me to your blogroll. Please leave a link to your site.(3 entries)

*Add my button to your blog. Please leave a link to your site.(3 entries)

*Favorite me in Technorati! (10 entries)

That is 8 ways to win. The winner will be chosen by using the random number generator at http://www.random.org/.

This giveaway begins December 27th and ends January 8th at 11:59 p.m. EST.

Christmas Quote and Message

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When we recall Christmas past, we usually find that the simplest things – not the great occasions – give off the greatest glow of happiness.”
~ Bob Hope, American film actor and comedian

Merry Christmas! I hope you have a wonderful holiday weekend! This weekend I will be enjoying time with family and friends. I hope your will too.

Lessons Taken From Books- Christmas Day in the Morning

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Christmas Day in the Morning is a beautiful book by Pearl Buck with gorgeous illustrations by Mark Buehner. The story takes place on a dairy farm. A boy named Rob and his father have to get up early every morning to milk the cows. One morning he overhears his father tell his mother he wishes he could let Rob sleep in. This tells Rob how much his father loves him. The boy decides he want to do something special for his dad for Christmas. Rob decides that if he gets up early and milks the cows, his father will get time to rest. That is exactly what he does and in doing so he gives his dad the best gift of all his love.

What can you do to show the ones that you love how much your care between now and the New Year?

Snowman Slippers Giveaway

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I came across these cute snowman slippers for a baby 0-6 months old. I have a taken a number of pictures and none of them came out the way I wanted them too. Just know they are cuter than they look in this picture.

This giveaway begins December 23th and ends January 4th at 11:59 p.m.

What do you need to do to get them?

-Tell me who would get these slippers. (1 entry)

For extra entries do any or all of the following leaving a separate comment for each entry.

*Write about this giveaway with a link back to it on Facebook or another social network site. (1 entry)

*Follow my blog. Leave me a comment saying that you now follow or that you already do. (1 entry)

*Twitter about this giveaway with a link back, you must also be following me on Twitter. Copy and paste: SnowmanSlipperGiveaway@JDaniel4smom.(1 entry per day)

*Subscribe to my blog. Leave me a comment saying that you have subscribed or that you already do. (1 entry)

*Add me to your blogroll. Please leave a link to your site.(3 entries)

*Add my button to your blog. Please leave a link to your site.(3 entries)

*Favorite me in Technorati! (7 entries)

That is 8 ways to win. The winner will be chosen by using the random number generator at http://www.random.org/.

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