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Kathryn

2 In Book Review/ Motherhood/ My Journey/ Raising boys

What I’m reading! (And I’m giving one away)

I’ve loved reading since I was a child. I thoroughly enjoy getting lost in a book, encountering a new world, learning new facts, or discovering a life story!

As a child, my favorite books were The Boxcar children and the Grandma’s Attic series.

My current favorites are memoirs and biographies.

If I had a day completely to myself, I’d read all day long. That’s not something that happens very often (or ever), but I can still find a few minutes to read each day.

I’m usually always reading 2-4 books at the same time.

  • I have one book by my bed that I read before bed or when I can’t sleep.
  • I keep a book in the car to read if I’m waiting in line or have a few minutes in between appointments.
  • I keep a couple of books in the living room and read before the kids wake up, when Luke is napping, or in the evening.
  • I have a book in my workbag and read if I have 5-10 minutes in between meetings.

Here are thoughts on each of the books I’m currently reading or have recently finished:

 

  • Feisty and Feminine – This book explains some of the issues we are facing in our world right now. It’s informative, interesting and offers suggestions as to what we, as Christian women, can do to help make a difference.

 

 

  • Animal, Vegetable, Miracle:  I heard two people say this was their favorite book of the year so I checked out the audio book from the library. I’m only halfway through and find it intriguing! This book is part memoir and part research into the food we eat and how it affects us and our environment.

 

  • The Way of the Wild Heart – because #boymom. Only a couple chapters in and this book is helping me understand this boy world that I live in. John Eldridge discusses each of the ‘six stages’ of manhood.

 

  • Spiritual Parenting – In preparing for my new role, I read this book written by our Family Ministries Executive Pastor, Dr. Michelle Anthony. The book encourages us, as parents, to ask God what He is doing in the lives of our sons and daughters so that we can come along side that work.  Michelle tells stories from her own life and gives simple and pro-active suggestions that encourage and inspire me as a mother and children’s ministry director! I recommend this book to parents, grandparents, and those wanting to impact young lives.

 

  • Chasing daylight – A true story about a man who discovered he had cancer and was given 3 months to live. Instead of wallowing in despair, he made a fantastic plan to create “Perfect Moments” in each day. I enjoyed this book because it challenged me to look for opportunities to create my own perfect moments, and value each day of life and health that I have been given. We have two copies at our house so I’d like to send my copy of Chasing Daylight to one of you! Leave me a comment and tell me you’d like this book and I will have my sons draw a name and choose a winner on Sunday! (Update: Winner – Corey C. – Congratulations!)

 

Also – leave me a comment and tell me what you are reading or suggest what I should read next!!

November 30, 2017 By
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6 In Colorado/ Colorado Springs/ Motherhood/ Raising boys/ Things to do in Colorado

Cotillion – what is it and why your child would benefit from it!

Last year our family was introduced to Cotillion, and we absolutely loved it!

Why do we love it?

Cotillion teaches:

  • COURTESY,
  • CONFIDENCE,
  • LEADERSHIP and
  • RESPECT!

Tools they can use throughout their life!

Boys and girls who attend Cotillion will also be learning about:

  • good manners,
  • polite conversation,
  • ballroom dancing,
  • etiquette, and 
  • how to make a GOOD first impression.

Regarding Ballroom Dancing, here is why Cotillion teaches kids to dance:

“Dance breaks down inhibitions, teaches physical respect, develops confidence, establishes teamwork and cooperation, reinforces non-verbal and verbal communication, and teaches students how to appropriately interact with the opposite gender in a structured and healthy environment.”

As a mother, I love giving my boys opportunities to build confidence. I want them to know how to handle themselves in uncomfortable situations and how to communicate with people of all ages. I want them to be courteous and use good manners. The Cotillion instructors teach, reinforce and encourage all of those skills in a fun and safe environment!

The Carnegie foundation indicates that over 85% of one’s career success is directly connected to one’s social skills!

Here are some details about the Colorado Springs Cotillion:

What age: For children in 3rd – 8th Grades

When: One evening a week for 6 weeks, beginning in January. Online registration can be done at Cotillion.com (It’s recommended that you register early – class sizes are limited and filled on a first-come, first-served basis.)

This is the schedule for the 3rd-4th grade class:

Introduction to Social Skills
Listening & Conversation
Courtesy & Consideration
Making Good Choices
Table Manners
Final Party / Parents Night
5:15 – 6:30 PM
The Broadmoor Hotel

 

You can register here: cotillion.com

Note: There are discounts for military and educators, as well as need-based discounts. Send them a note if you want info on that!

PS – We find suits we love for our boys at HMKids.com: Search Blazer and Suit Pants!

November 28, 2017 By
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3 In Motherhood/ Raising boys

All About Paul!

Paul. He is one special kid.

He came into this world to two rough and tumble brothers. They loved him so much – and maybe a little too hard.

From the time he could talk he knew how to be loud and let his voice be heard.  From the time he could walk he was running and wrestling. In fact, he was the first child in a cast!

He’s been extremely strong-willed since the day he learned the word “No!”

There was a full year where he wore the same outfit nearly every single day! If you follow me on Instagram, you may have wondered why I never changed his clothes. Well, believe me, I wanted to -I just didn’t think it was a battle worth fighting. For my birthday, my in-laws watched all four boys overnight. I laid out each boys clothes for the next day. Except for Paul. My mother-in-law asked what she should put on him the next day. I told her that he could where tomorrow what he has on today. After wearing that under armor shirt 350 times, it’s still going strong! The shorts finally ripped beyond repair.

  

I’m learning that these strong-willed ones have a something special about them if you can just hold on, choose your battles, and survive the tough moments.

  • He potty trained himself!
  • He taught himself how to ride a bike without training wheels!
  • When we go on trips, he packs his own bag (and doesn’t forget his underwear!)
  • He was the youngest to be interested in the things of God and to have a relationship with his Heavenly Father.

He’s also the child who’s caused me to call 911!

It was 2015, we had just moved to Colorado and I was leaving the grocery store with Luke, age 1, Paul – 3, and Clark – 5 (George was in school). I get to the back of the car to start loading groceries and ask Paul to go get into his car seat.

I load the groceries, come around to buckle him in and he is not there. I call for him and he does not answer. I scan the car and don’t see him. I look under the car. No Paul. I look around the car. Don’t see him.

My heart starts to race. I begin to ask people around me if they’ve seen a little boy in a red shirt.

A sweet mama offers to stay by my car with Luke and Clark while I race around to find Paul. I run into the store and let them know I can’t find my son. They lock the store down and send people out to scour the parking lot.

I’m looking at every car driving away and hoping that my son isn’t in one of those cars.

I decide to call 911 at the same time I remember to pray.

I’m talking to a man on the 911 call and asking God for help. “God, please help me find my son!”

Just after I prayed, I felt like I needed to look more thoroughly through my car.

I climb in and look up front, through the middle, and then under the back seat…and there. is. Paul. Hiding under the back seat.

I’m still talking to 911 at this point, giving them all the details and then stop: I found him! He’s okay! I found him! He’s fine!

I remember the kind man on the other end saying, “Good! I’m glad he’s okay! Are YOU okay?” I realized I was breathing hard and in panic mode. I took a deep breath and told him I’d be okay soon.

I hung up and told the people searching that my son had been found. I thanked them for their help and then asked Paul WHY he was under the seat.

“I was just playing hide and seek, mama!”

“Please don’t ever play that game again without letting me know FIRST that you are hiding!”

It took me several hours (maybe days?) for my heart to stop racing. My heart is racing again just typing this story.

Thankfully, we all survived to tell the story! Thankfully, he’s never played hide-and-seek again without inviting me to play first!

This is one story that explains why I ask God for help every day. I don’t know what I’d do without His wisdom, His love, His patience, and His strength as I’m raising these young boys to be great men!

Happy 6th Birthday Paul!

 

 

November 26, 2017 By
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2 In Family/ Motherhood/ Raising boys/ Things to do in Colorado

A Peek into our Week

Sunday

We went to church as a family then to Freddy’s Burgers for lunch.

It was a beautiful day, so we played outside for awhile then Ted built them an amazing fort in the living room, and we climbed in to watch some football.

For dinner I made a delicious Hello Fresh recipe:

Chicken Thighs in Kimchi Sauce with an Asian Pear Slaw and Jasmine Rice

 

Monday

Ted went to work, and I took the boys to LifeTime Gym using a free guest pass. We haven’t been members at a gym since moving to Colorado, and I’m ready to join a gym again. I need to work out a little more regularly, and I want to have a pool and gym that the boys and Ted can use too!

Lifetime is clean, beautiful, has tons of equipment and lots to do. However, the boys (except Luke) didn’t like the kids play area and the Y actually has a nicer indoor pool area than Lifetime.

That afternoon we had some kids over to play and for dinner I made tilapia.

 

Tuesday

I took the boys to Monkey Bizness for a few hours in the morning. It was raining outside, so it was the perfect morning to spend there. The boys were having fun and playing so nicely that I was able to get a little work done while they were playing. We came home to let Luke nap and played outside most of the rest of the day.

 

Wednesday

The big boys got to go to Skyzone with a friend while I did some Thanksgiving prep.

That afternoon Ted came home and we went over to check out our local YMCA. The Y is not fancy, but it has all of the equipment we need, a good variety of classes, and a well-organized child care area. The indoor pools are great – one pool is heated (which I loved!) and another, larger indoor pool had a waterslide! It was the first time Luke swam without me holding onto him (With swimmies)! I wish I had my camera to capture his sweet face. He was so excited to swim all by himself!  The Y is more cost effective than Lifetime and the boys liked it better – so we decided to join there. Plus, we’ll get discounts on campgrounds around the state and sports for the boys!

 

Thursday

A Thanksgiving tradition we have is to go out an explore on Thanksgiving morning. Last year we hiked Helen Hunt Falls and this year we decided to go find this beautiful tunnel I’ve been wanting to find since before we even moved here. WE FOUND IT and it was just as spectacular as I had imagined!!! (It’s near Helen Hunt Falls, further up the mountain on Lower Gold Camp Road.)

Then…I made my very first Turkey!!! It wasn’t a Griswold turkey –  It was delicious!!! I had to google “how to cook a turkey” and the instructions were everything I needed!  I also made a sweet potato casserole, mashed potatoes and gravy (my fav), corn, green beans and rolls.

Kathryn’s first turkey

My outstanding prep team peeling LOTS of potatoes!

I asked the boys what their favorite part of the meal was and here are their answers:

George: rolls, turkey, green bean

Clark: corn, turkey and mashed potatoes

Paul: corn, mashed potatoes, rolls

Luke: He was napping when I asked the big boys but my guess would be the rolls since that’s the only thing he ate without being told to ‘take one more bite!’

After the little kids went to bed, George and I went to Target (George is my night owl). I needed a new phone, and if you renewed Thursday night or Friday, you received a $250 store gift card! I was hoping the crowds would be less crazy on Thursday night but I still had a 3 hour wait to get my phone. Thankfully, I could just roam the store while I waited for their text to say it was my turn.

George trying to decide what hat he liked best.

 

Friday

I slept in til 6:40 am! (Thank you, Ted) Luke loves to wake up around 5:30-5:45 lately so Ted took him downstairs so I could sleep a little longer. Then Paul comes in my room at 6:40 with lots of stories to tell. He always has stories.

When everyone was up, we went to the YMCA again to exercise, play basketball, and swim!

The rest of the day was a lazy family day with some backyard games and a movie on the couch.

I also spent some time this week working with the designer to get final edits done for Climb, Soar, Swim, Explore! It’s coming together and looks incredible!

I hope you had a great week and Happy Thanksgiving! Leave me a comment and tell me about your week!

November 24, 2017 By
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1 In Product Recommendations

Top Ten Best Gifts!

Today I’m pulling excerpts from my eBook – The Holiday Gift Guide!

If you like this, and are interested in reading all of the top ten gifts for children ages 1-10, you can purchase the ebook here! The price is only TWO dollars for my blog readers!

Age 1

–Cost: $50-150

–Why: Every child loves a wagon ride! The one I’m linking to has been WELL-LOVED by my boys! We’ve taken this thing every where, for years, and it’s still in great condition!

 

Age 2

–Cost: $15-25

–Why: My kids LOVE to mow with Daddy. Every time he mows, my two little ones are “mowing” with him! So we own two of these for that reason.

Age 3

–Cost: $80-90

–Why buy this: I HIGHLY recommend this LARGE picnic table (seats 6!). I often have 6 kids wanting to dine together and this table fits ALL OF THEM. It’s much better to have extra room than not enough. We’ve left this table outside for about 7 years now, and though the umbrella is no longer with us, the table is still in excellent condition and gets used all summer long – and when we have large parties at our house, we bring it inside as the “kids table!”

Age 4

–Cost:$30

–Why: Kids need sweatshirts – so if you are going to get them an item of clothing – get it with a theme they are interested in. My four-year-old wanted Spiderman, my 8-yearold wanted the Broncos sweatshirt.

Age 5

               

–Cost: $15

–Why: These are two Bible we read from regularly. The Bible App YouVersion is great for 0-5, The Storybook for ages 5-10.

Age 6

– Cost: $25

– Why: Do you remember how much FUN you had playing with this when you were a kid!? Just looking at this makes me smile and brings back every happy Gym class memory. My favorite days in gym class were the days when our teacher pulled this fun parachute out and through some balls on top!  I just ordered one for my son who is turning 6 next week! We will be using it on his birthday, then probably many days after that as well! The one I’ve linked to is a best seller and has high reviews.

 

Age 7

– Cost: $50-100

-Why buy this:  This is a really cool toy – You get to watch an animal “hatch,” then teach your animal to walk, talk, dance and play games! They aren’t cheap but you might find a deal on Black Friday or Cyber Monday?! I hope to find one on sale for my kids this year. I think they’d all enjoy it. Has anyone seen one or have one? What do you think?

Age 8

–Cost:$15-25

–Why: A classic game that should belong in every home. My 8-year-old was just asking me to play this game.

Age 9

–Cost: $20

–Why: My oldest son received this from his grandparents on his 9th birthday and called it “the best gift ever!” You follow simple instructions that teach you to build circuits that do fun things like make a fan spin, play a song, etc. I love that he takes time to build, create and learn with this game! He’s so excited when he follows the instructions and creates something that works!

Age 10

–Cost: $40-50

–Why: Kids will enjoy learning to ride this new version of a skate board! My ten year old is getting this for Christmas!

 

Teacher gift idea:

   

–Cost: $5-20

–Why: Teachers write cards throughout the year, so it’s always fun to have new stationery! The pens I’ve linked are MY FAVORITE!!!

 

If you want to avoid Holiday Shopping, purchase my eBook and all the ideas will be sent right to your inbox – you can use the guide to do all of your shopping from home. (Especially on CYBER Monday.) You can also print my eBook and shop local! The cost of the eBook is only $2 for you – my reader!

Some of the above items are affiliate links. This means that if you click on the link and decide to buy something, I’ll earn a small commission. Thanks in advance! Happy Shopping!

 

November 21, 2017 By
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2 In Family/ Giveaway/ Motherhood/ Product Recommendations/ Raising boys

Buy this, NOT THAT!!! (Plus a GIVEAWAY!)

Six years ago, a box showed up at my front door. It had my name and address on it, but no return address, no card inside and I had NO idea who sent the box from amazon.

I opened it up, and it was a gift for my kids – ages 2 and 4.

And it was the absolute WORST GIFT EVER. I don’t want to sound ungrateful, it was very kind of someone to send a gift to my kids, but this gift was more than I could handle. It was a box full of (what felt like a million) small plastic BALLS. It came with a collapsible mesh “tent” that was supposed to hold all of said balls.

Over the next 4 weeks I did two things:

1. Awkwardly reached out to people to see if they sent my children a gift so that I could say thank you.
2. Spent every waking hour putting every single one of those balls back into the mesh tent….over and over….ball after ball.

I finally figured out who sent the gift and sent a thank you. This person had good intentions. They remembered how much my sisters and I loved the ball pit at Chuck E. Cheese when we were kids and wanted my kids to have fun with all those balls. And they did have fun…..they had fun throwing them all over our house.

I’d finally had enough. After the kids went to bed one night, I packed the balls into a black garbage bag and hid them in my garage. I listed the balls and mesh tent for a great price on craigslist. A couple of days later, someone came to pick them up. I discreetly handed the person the garbage bag.

George, who was 4 at this time, said: “Wait mom! They are forgetting something.” He ran to another room, found ONE MORE plastic ball…and handed it to the person holding the garbage bag!

I stood there dumb-founded.

How did George even know what was in the garbage bag?!?!?!?

Thankfully, the kids were NOT disappointed that I sold this gift (I put the cash in their piggy banks).

I was SO VERY HAPPY that every single ball (thanks to George) was out of my house. Well, actually, not every ball because 6 years later, I still come across those balls here and there! I seriously can’t get rid of them!!!

So please, DO NOT buy a child a gift with a million balls unless you are keeping it at YOUR house and YOU enjoy cleaning up messes all day long.

So….that is What NOT to buy.

I wasn’t very good at buying gifts for kids before I had my own children. I always wanted to buy them clothes. And clothes are fine, if you buy them something special to go WITH the clothes. I didn’t understand this until my young nephew would come over to me before he unwrapped my gift and say: “This isn’t another SHIRT gift, is it?” (Gotta love their honesty!)

Here are a couple of things I highly recommend buying for children in the 1-5 age range:

Luke – Age 1



The Plasma Car – my kids have spent countless hours riding this thing! I’ve ended up with 3 of them! My sons started using these about 18 months, and don’t really outgrow them – Ted and I even ride the Plasma Car occasionally!

 

Hot Dog Slicer –  Every time we eat hot dogs, my youngest son asks for this. It’s a hot dog slicer with a little cup for holding ketchup. This is a fun gift for children under 5.

GIVEAWAY!!! I will send a Hot Dog slicer (Seen in Pic above) if you:

  • share this post,

  • then comment and tell me that you shared the post and want the hot dog slicer.

  • I have TWO to give away! Winners announced Sunday!

No Stress Chess – this game not only taught us how to play chess, but instilled a love for the game into my oldest two sons! It’s on sale right now for only $11.99!!

(The above links are Affiliate Links which means, if you click on the links and decide to make a purchase, I may make a few cents. Thanks in advance)

These gift suggestions were taken out of the Holiday Gift Guide. For the top ten gifts for kids ages 1-10, click here to get your Guide!

Thanks for reading this to the very end! Comment and tell me a wonderful or horrible gift you or your children have received!

November 20, 2017 By
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4 In Family/ Free stuff/ Making money/ Saving money

Our Goodwill Christmas – How to make and save money this holiday season

Christmas does NOT have to break the bank!

I grew up in a blended family of ten and one of my favorite holiday memories includes the year my dad took us to Goodwill to choose our Christmas gifts. We laughed at the hilarious choices our dad chose, and were overjoyed at some of the incredible treasures we uncovered. I honestly can’t remember most of the Christmas gifts I’ve received over the years, but I do remember the vintage Ralph Lauren cardigan I found at Goodwill that day.

Christmas can be special on any budget!

Christmas is NOT about how much you spend, it’s about spending time together.

Playing a game or crafting together can mean more than spending $100 on a present your child may not remember next year.
Another inexpensive idea is to give each person in your house a dollar (plus tax) and choose a gift for each other at the dollar store.
Want some creative and simple ways to put money BACK in your wallet?

Here are seven suggestions for you:

  • RAKUTEN– If you do ANY online shopping, you should use Rakuten. You earn cash back for shopping at nearly every online store!
    You will earn an automatic $10 for the first $25 online purchase you make...and hello, who can shop at Amazon without spending $25!

  • SHOPKICK – I earn free gift cards every month just by opening up this app when I walk into a store and scanning a few products. You can use your earned gift cards to purchase gifts.

  • SWAGBUCKS –  I make about $25 each month by printing coupons, taking surveys, and use their search engine. This extra money is perfect for Holiday shopping!

  • OFFERUP/LET GO/Facebook Marketplace
    • Buy Gently USED items
      •  I’ve purchased lots of gently used items for my boys over the years – scooters, toys, clothes and bikes.
      • You don’t have to pay FULL PRICE for Christmas gifts! A nice used scooter for $10 brings just as much JOY as a $50 new scooter.
      • Before you pay full price for an item,  see if you can find it second-hand for a fraction of the cost.
      • For example – Legos, a basketball hoop, a wagon or outdoor play table are great gifts to buy second hand!
    • Sell items you know longer need. I read an article that said we all have about $2,000 worth of stuff in our homes that we could sell! Two thousand dollars would provide a very nice Christmas, with plenty leftover!

My mother-in-law has been clearing out her attic and making around $100 a week on items she no longer wants or needs with the Let Go and Offer Up apps!

  • BradsDeals.com – If you are in the market to buy a big ticket item that you don’t want to buy second hand (like a mattress), search Brad’s Deals to see where to find that item for the best price.
  • HIP2SAVE – Sign up to receive a daily email that will include all the best deals around town and online.

CLICK HERE for a post on a very simple and inexpensive Stocking Stuff Idea!

Thanks for reading, please subscribe so you don’t miss a post!

November 18, 2017 By
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6 In Friendship/ Marriage/ Memories/ My Journey

The Story of Us – Where it all began

In 1999, I had just moved to Tulsa. My sister, Haili, invited me to a friend’s graduation. She heard there would be a great speaker. That evening, I found myself sitting next to a kind woman named Shirley Egly. We chatted, and I asked if she knew anything about the speaker. She smiled and said, “Yes, that’s my son Ted.”

When Ted stepped up to speak, my heart skipped a beatI I immediately noticed not only his gift for communication, but also his presence. He was confident, genuine, and extremely handsome.

Over the next few months, Ted and I would see each other at different events. The more time I spent around him, the more I liked him. But there was one problem. I had a “list” of qualities someone had to have before I would consider dating them. On that list was: Must be older than me. Ted was two years younger, and at the time, it felt like a deal-breaker.

I decided to set him up with my sister, Haili, who was also two years younger than me. For some reason, she thought of him as a brother and he saw her as a little sister, and they weren’t interested in dating. I thought Haili was CRAZY! “He’s PERFECT!” I told her.

“Then you date him,” she replied.

Hmmm…maybe I should consider breaking this one rule on my “list.”

One afternoon, Ted invited Haili and I and some other friends to his house to play games. Haili couldn’t go, but I wouldn’t have missed it. That day I met Ted’s dad, sister, and mom (again). I later learned that Ted’s sister pulled his mom aside and said:

“Mom, I think that girl Kathryn is the one Ted is going to marry!”

Ted and I continued to bump into each other or hang out on different occasions with a group of friends. In the fall of 2000, we were both at the gym at the same time. I was working out with my sister, he was with his dad. He started running laps on the track, and I decided to join him. That night, right there on the track, he asked me to join him for a run at La Fortune Park in Tulsa.

How do you dress when your first date is to go RUNNING?

Do you wear makeup? (I wore a little.)

We met at the park and ran 6 miles together. I don’t run six miles. In fact, I’m not sure I had ever run 6 miles before that day or if I’ve run 6 miles since, but it was that “first date” adrenaline and I mostly floated through the run. After that, we got some Mexican food and talked for hours.

By the end of the night, I knew. This was it. This was the guy I wanted to spend the rest of my life with.

Thankfully, he felt the same way. On Valentine’s Day, 3 months later, he told me he loved me and wanted to talk about our future together. In June, we were engaged.

Click here to read the story of our engagement!

Subscribe (in the right hand column) so you don’t miss a post!

November 16, 2017 By
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7 In Family/ Product Recommendations

Our Favorite Family Christmas Movies

What is it about a Christmas tree that makes us smile?

It’s that time of year! We put our tree up and have our music Christmas playing!

As you take some time off next week, you may be looking for a good family movie to watch.

Here are our top Holiday Movies. You can check them out from your library, find some of them on Netflix, or Amazon Prime – or click on the titles below to purchase them. They’d make a nice Christmas gift for your kids or spouse  – or as a special surprise from your “Elf on the Shelf!“

Here are our favorites, in no particular order:

Boys so engaged in Elf they wouldn’t sit down.

.

Elf

If you want to laugh, this is the one you choose! 

.

Christmas Vacation

Another movie that will make you laugh! 

christmas vacation

.

Home Alone 1 and Home Alone 2 (and this Home Alone children’s book would make a fun gift)

Home Alone is a timeless favorite. My kids love it as much as Ted and I do. 

.

The Santa Clause

 

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Arthur Christmas

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A Charlie Brown Christmas

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Prep and Landing 

A super cute Christmas cartoon for kids

.

Mickey’s Christmas Carol

Christmas Carol Mickey Mouse

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A Christmas Story

You either love this or hate it. Ted and George love it. 

a christmas story

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White Christmas 

This classic is one of my favorites – my husband and boys, not so much.

.

It’s a Wonderful Life

You are never too young or too old to enjoy this movie.

.

Klaus 

A Netflix movie with a good message

.

Christmas Chronicles 1 and 2

.

The Grinch

 

(And the book is a CLASSIC)

 

Favorites for Grown ups:

 

Family Man

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The Holiday

.

What’s your favorite Christmas movie? Leave me a comment!

Click here for the potpourri recipe that will make your home smell like Christmas!
Want some holiday craft ideas? Click here for salt dough ornaments.
Click here for a delicious holiday appetizer!
Click here for a great stocking stuffer idea

Some of the items listed above are affiliate links. If you choose to purchase one, I may earn a small commission.

November 14, 2017 By
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0 In Book Review/ Colorado Springs/ Giveaway

Climb, Soar, Swim, Explore! Go Fund Me Update

Thank you to each of you who have pre-ordered and given to my first ever GO FUND ME campaign to publish my first children’s book entitled: Climb, Soar, Swim, Explore!  I can’t wait to send a first edition, signed copy to each of you who pre-order this book!

Here are some campaign stats as of Saturday, November 11 at 10 pm, five days into the campaign:

  • 26 people have contributed from $15-$150 – thank you!
  • 66 people have shared the campaign on Facebook – thank you!
  • $1,155 toward to goal of $1,500 has been raised!! THANK YOU!!
  • We are more than 2/3 of the way there – thank you!
  • 10 signed copies will be given to local foster children with a message of love and encouragement written inside the cover from each person who gave $30 or more. Thank you!
  • 5 names will go into a drawing today. One person will win a custom art piece from the book’s illustrator – Cedric Taylor – because they contributed $100 or more towards the campaign. THANK YOU!! Watch for a video on Facebook of the winner’s name being chosen!
  • 5 people will get their names listed in the back of the book under “Special Thanks!” for giving $150! Thank you!
  • Each person who’s contributed so far has been given a free copy of the Holiday Gift Guide!

It’s NOT too late to support this campaign! You can give as little as $5 and receive the Holiday Gift Guide — all the way up to $150 and receive a whole lot more!

Go to gofundme.com/kathrynegly to pre-order your copy and help pay for the publication costs!

For more info on the book, GO HERE.

Please click on the tiny comment box beside the title of this post to ask a question about the book or the campaign and I will respond within 24 hours!

I love your comments, suggestions, feedback, and questions!

November 12, 2017 By
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