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Archives for November 2013

2:55 pm by Penelope

10 Stores that Don’t Celebrate Christmas

We are in an age when the world is trying to take Christ out of Christmas.

Businesses are electing to replace “Merry Christmas” with “Happy Holidays,” and even so much as to rename Christmas trees as “holiday trees.”

The American Family Association (AFA) is a nonprofit 501(c3) on the frontlines of the war on morality in America.  The mission of the AFA is to inform, equip, and activate individuals to strengthen the moral foundations of American culture. AFA believes that a culture based on biblical truth best serves the well-being of our nation and our families and in holding accountable companies that sponsor programs attacking traditional family values. AFA also believes in commending those companies that act responsibly regarding programs they support.

AFA reviewed retailers in up to four areas to determine if a company was “Christmas-friendly” in their advertising: print media (newspaper inserts), broadcast media (radio/television), website and/or personal visits to the store. If a company’s ad has references to items associated with Christmas (trees, wreaths, lights, etc.), it was considered as an attempt to reach “Christmas” shoppers.

If a company has items associated with Christmas, but did not use the word “Christmas,” then the company was considered as censoring “Christmas.”

If you believe in keeping Christ in Christmas, you have the opportunity to let your voice be heard when you do your Christmas shopping this year.

The following companies may use “Christmas” sparingly in a single or unique product description, but as a company, does not recognize Christmas.

Christ-in-Christmas-retail-stores-boycott


Five years ago, Gap, Inc. adamantly refused to use the term ‘Christmas’ in any of its seasonal advertising.  However, after an AFA-encouraged boycott last year, Gap has completely turned around its seasonal advertising this year, and will place “Merry Christmas” signs in every store, along with Christmas trees and a special “Christmas-themed event” at all Old Navy stores.

Here is AFA’s complete list of national retailers and their recognition of Christmas.

Will you join me in keeping Christ in Christmas by shopping at retailers that celebrate Christmas?

 

10:52 am by Penelope

Top Ten Toys for Active Boys (& Girls) [2022]

Top-Toys-Active-BoysBecause I am the mother of two very active boys (one extremely hyperactive ADHD son), I’m always searching for toys and activities to keep my energetic boys entertained.  My husband (a former elementary PE teacher) and I compiled this list of the top toys that keep our active boys playing.

Many of these toys for active boys include jumping. Jumping is a great activity for active children, and extremely useful for children that may have sensory processing issues. My son is sensory seeking and jumping helps him expel energy and provides much-desired sensory input.

Here is my gift guide for toys for active boys (and girls). This list includes a variety of toys with different price ranges. Some of these toys can even be used indoors.

Top Ten Toys for Active Boys (& Girls)

Monster Feet Stompers  $6.15

top-toys-active-boys-adhdMy husband highly recommends these plastic “stilts” for any kid. His students would play with these stompers throughout an entire PE class period. The plastic is durable and will even hold the weight of a 200-pound man.

Pogo Jumper $15.00

top-toys-active-boys-adhdThis pogo stick is made of a soft, durable foam and squeaks when your child jumps.  Since it doesn’t require the balance skills of a regular pogo “stick”, children as young as 3 years old can jump indoors or out.

Hopping Horse $17.49

top-toys-active-boys-adhdLast year, at a going-away party for Island Gypsy Hawaii, this hopping horse was the life of the party for my two preschool boys.  They would bounce, fall off, and bounce again…for the entire duration of the party.

Pogo Balance Board $29.99

According to ADD expert, Dr. Edward Hallowell, new research shows that a balance board stimulates the cerebellum part of the brain and can help children with concentration and reading problems. What other reason do you need?

Pop-Up Play Tent $18.99

top-toys-sensoryWe purchased a pop-up play tent for my oldest son when he started walking, and 4 years later, he and his brother still play in this tent at least every other day. They love to fill it with toy cars, superheroes, and tennis balls. You will have to purchase balls separately.

Plasma Car $89.99

6-toy-plasma-car1Our church’s school has a number of these Plasma Cars that kids play on incessantly when they are brought out. These toy cars go by turning the steering wheel back and forth. Kids learn great coordination and movement skills while playing with this toy car.

Indoor Trampoline $49.95top-toys-spd-adhdWhen we visit my sister, my boys jump continuously on the indoor trampoline, even while watching movies.  This trampoline is for use up to 150 pounds (just in case, I want to exercise myself).

Bicycle $119.99My boys love to ride a bicycle, but now it’s extremely difficult to find a bicycle that can passed down to either a boy or a girl. I found this bicycle that can be used by either a boy or a girl. It also comes in other colors, such as white – plus you can purchase this bicycle in sizes from 12-inch wheels with training wheels to 20-inch wheels with kickstand – and the 3 other sizes in between!

Bounce House $209.99top-toys-jumping-house-spdWe purchased this inflatable bounce house for our kids two years ago, and my boys LOVE it! Our bounce house is easy to set up and take down. This bounce house has proven to be durable, and is extremely popular at get-togethers, birthday parties, and at home. It is totally enclosed with netting so it is safe.

Swing Set $165.99After intense research on the durability of swing sets, we purchased a metal swing set for our active boys. This swing set is made of steel instead of the plastic play sets that are so popular now. This set comes with two swings, a climbing net and a basketball hoop. My in-laws still have the steel swing set, my sister-in-law played on as a child. Now the grandkids and great-grandkids play on it! Metal swing sets last forever!

What are your top toys to give the active kid? Please comment below.

FTC Disclosure: The links in this post are affiliate links for Amazon, which means when you click on a link and purchase, I receive a very small commission (at no additional cost to you). Amazon then gives that commission to me as an Amazon gift card so I can purchase from Amazon. See how nicely that works for Amazon? 

top-ten-toys-active-boys-kids-adhd-spd-sensory

4:42 pm by Penelope

VIDEO: Our Story of National Adoption Day

Two years ago, on National Adoption Day, we adopted a little boy that had been brought to us as a baby in foster care.

The video of our National Adoption Day story.

Check out the National Adoption Awareness Month blog tour stories from other foster parenting blogs.

7:41 pm by Penelope

My Interview with Nickelodeon Star Rachel Crow @IAmRachelCrow

National Adoption Day is a national effort to raise awareness of the more than 107,000 children in foster care waiting to find permanent, loving families. Two years ago, on National Adoption Day, we officially became the forever family for a little boy that had been brought to us as a baby in foster care.

2011 National-Adoption-Day_web

This year’s spokesperson for National Adoption Day is Rachel Crow, The X Factor standout, Nickelodeon star and Columbia Records recording artist., who was adopted as a “crack baby” from foster care.  I was thrilled to have the opportunity to interview Rachel and hear her adoption story and passion for foster care adoption.

Here is the video of me interviewing this young star.  At 4:30 minutes into the video, I asked her advice to foster kids ashamed of their past. The maturity of her answer amazes me!

Here is the link to my interview with Rachel Crow.

Be sure and enter our $60 giveaway for an Amazon or PayPal gift card!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

9:46 pm by Penelope

Adoption Month Blog Tour

November is National Adoption Awareness Month to raise awareness of the 107,000 foster children available for adoption. I’ve teamed up with several bloggers that have adopted from foster care (or are in the process) for a blog tour! Throughout the month, I will be featuring a different blog and their unique adoption story.

adoption-foster-parenting-blog-tour

So are you ready to meet some fabulous foster parents?

  1. Young, Single, and Adopting reminisces on the expectations that changed along the journey to become a family.  “Although this journey has blessed me beyond belief and pushed me to limits I never knew existed, the one benefit that I never saw coming is the connections I have made in the adoption community.“
  2. Kenneth A. Camp discusses why his decision to adopt had little to do with infertility. “God directed my attention toward the fact that hundreds of children in my community were in foster care. Many of them were available for adoption.“
  3. Mama Foster delves into the realities of the tough behaviors that come with the kids from hard places. “There really is not much that is easy about adoption.  For me, the only easy part was the “fall in love with a kid you don’t really know” part.  Then, they move in and you have to get over the “idea” of who you thought the child was going to be and really work on falling in love with who the child really is.“
  4. I Must Be Trippin’ laments on not adopting her foster son on National Adoption Day due to paperwork issues. “I’ve been a mom for five years, but not one of my children is legally “mine.”  I had myself a nice little pity party upon turning the calendar to November, seeing “Adoption Day” circled in red, and knowing that I would have to continue waiting to be a “forever mom” a little bit longer. That’s when it hit me like a tons of bricks.  I am a “forever mom!“

foster-parenting-adoption-blog-tour-stories

If you also blog about your adventures in foster parenting, leave your link in the comments!

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