A Special Day with Mama!

My parents offered to take Jackson for 2 nights, so I could spend 100% of my time and energy with this sweet girl!  I have tried to pack full our schedule with fun special events that will create lasting memories!  I have learned that it isn't the $ spent, rather the effort I put forth to figuring out what makes this girl smile the most!!

Today we dropped Jackson off around noon and headed to Subway for a girl's lunch!  I love that Sophia will eat the turkey sub JUST AS I LOVED IT: loaded with veggies, spinach, black pepper, and oregano!  That girl doesn't complain and loves every bite like her mama!

We came home and read tons of stories and she took a nice long nap!!

After her nap I surprised her with an afternoon of fun!  First we went to Shear Fun to have her nails painted! (Best $6 I have spent in awhile!).  The girl that did her nails took lots of time and even added a top coat of silver sparkles!  Sophia LOVED every minute of this!!  Can you tell by the pictures?

Pretty nails!

Just before this picture, she leaned over, kissed me, and said, "I love you mommy!"
(Insert HEART MELT!)

After we left Shear Fun, we headed across the street to our new Goodwill!  We love looking for treasures, plus I can't pass up the 50% off clothes rack for kids clothes!!  She told me she would find a really good treasure and she sure did ... a handheld Barbie computer, batteries and all ... $2.99!  Oh yeah!  It has some great learning games and challenges for her age!  

After leaving the Goodwill, we headed to our favorite frozen yogurt spot in Avon, Orange Leaf!!  I LOVE Orange Leaf so much b/c they have 15-20 different flavors of frozen yogurt that is self-serve.  You pay by the ounce.  Good thing for us is that we have excellent self-control and only get about 2-3 oz each.  Plus I had a $3 off coupon, so I was able to purchase our "treat" for $1.04!  She enjoyed EVERY SINGLE BITE!  Believe me, I did too!!

Of course this is a STOCK photo ... not our dessert!  

When we got home, we had a yummy dinner followed by her favorite ... A POPCORN PARTY!  We watched the first half of Monsters, Inc together while eating homemade popcorn!!

I think this little girl is having fun, what do you think??  All for a grand total spent for the day $17.06!  Not too shabby huh?

Tomorrow we are headed to the Children's Museum with my sister and cousin Hannah along with the library in the evening.  Thursday morning we have a play date with a good friend and then we are headed to Trader Joes and Whole Foods to stock up on our yummy treats and "clean" food!!

I forgot how easy it is with just a preschooler ... wow!  Such a nice break!! :)

REVIEW AND GIVEAWAY: ACTION BIBLE

"People don't usually think of God like this, but God is the original action hero.  Everyone is so impressed when Superman blows a car over with his breath, yet God created the whole universe with His breath.  Superman may save the day with his strength, but Jesus saved the whole world with His death ... The action you read about in these 750 pages is nothing compared to the action that will occur once you put this book down.  How will you answer God's call to action?"  (Doug Mauss, General Editor)

With an introduction like that, don't you want to pick up a copy of "The Action Bible: God's Redemptive Plan?"  The Action Bible is an excellent source for supplemental Bible story reading with your children!  It contains the major stories of the Bible (215 of them) starting in Genesis and ending with Revelation.   

Internationally recognized artist Sergio Cariello has created attention-holding illustrations marked by rich coloring, dramatic shading and lighting, bold and energetic designs, and emotionally charged figures.  Of note, Sergio worked for Marvel and DC Comics.

I have taken a few pictures for you to get an inside view.  I used the crucifixion pictures as we are getting close to our Resurrection Sunday celebration!  Can you feel the emotion that must have been felt by those along the street as Jesus walked by?   The look on Jesus' face in this picture takes my breath away.  He knew what was ahead of him ... down that long road ...

Another shot of Jesus with the thief on the cross.  The close up of the crown of thorns on his head.  

MY REVIEW:  The Action Bible is a comic-book style picture Bible for children ages 5-8.  I would imagine that older children would also enjoy this as well!  The stories are in chronological order and shown in the appropriate setting.  Since I have been studying Genesis this year in BSF, I looked through intently at the pictures of Genesis and was very impressed with Sergio's illustrations.  The characters ages are depicted correctly as are the emotions.      

As I mentioned above, this is an excellent supplement to your child's actual Bible.  As with most children's Bibles, the stories are "based on" the actual scripture verses.  The author includes the specific chapters (sometimes verses) under the title.  For example when Jacob's sons are reunited, "Family Reunion Based on Genesis 45-47."  When the pictures are "based on" the actual Bible, one must remember it is somewhat subject to the author and illustrators interpretation.  You will find commentary, extra-Biblical comments, and other information in the stories.  Once again, you find this with most children's Bibles.    

As one reviewer said it so clearly, "The Bible came across as a continuous historical account of God relating to man with a redemptive plan in action (rather than as disconnected morality tales about heroes of the past).  

Most of you know, my little guy is only 18 months old, so he wasn't a candidate for a review for this Bible.  My 4 year old daughter LOVED looking at the pictures!  The first day she sat for over 45 minutes flipping through the pages!  I have a friend who has two sons, ages 5 and 8, so I thought they would be the perfect candidates to review this book.  Both sons were THRILLED to see The Action Bible sitting on their coffee table when they arrived home from school.  They recognized it from other kids at church!  They both couldn't put it down.  The 5 year old was really drawn to the illustrations, however some of the content his mother had to simplify.  However, the 8 year old was the perfect age to fully enjoy this book.  His mother said it was the "perfect reading level and content for my 3rd grader.  It was a great way to draw kids (especially little boys) into the stories of the Bible."  I also had her review the devotional and she really enjoyed it.  Her 3rd grader really was able to find practical application from the lesson.  The lessons were perfect length and had a great learning format.  

My husband and I both feel that as long as parents don't shy away from teaching the actual Bible, The Action Bible is a great supplemental overview book for kids.  It teaches them how to appreciate the Bible as a whole as well as God's redemptive story that He has planned from the VERY BEGINNING of time!  The Action Bible is probably the most complete and comprehensive picture Bible.  It will draw them in by its "fun" nature, so as a parent you don't have to "make" them read their Bible.  It helps relate true Bible stories with what they currently enjoy in life: super heros and action heros!  It also will teach them that their faith is to be ACTIVE, not passive!  How many adults don't realize this truth?    

If you are interested in other resources, check out the devotional and the handbook.  Both are incredible resources!  The devotional works well with The Action Bible, but also could be used as a stand-alone resource.  I think the devotional would be perfect for your 7-9 year old!  The practical application is fantastic!  

Also, check out their WEBPAGE and find free coloring pages, BATTLE GOLIATH (game), see samples of the artwork, as well as watch the Action Bible Trailer!

WIN IT: You have an awesome opportunity to win your OWN copy of The Action Bible.

Please leave a comment below of any memories you have reading a Children's Bible or why you think your son/daughter would enjoy this Bible.  Also, please make sure to leave your EMAIL address so I can contact you if you win!

This giveaway is open to the US and will end on Monday April 1st at 8am. The winner will be drawn via random.org and will have 48 hours to respond or another winner will be drawn. Please, no PO Boxes.

Disclaimer: I received this product free of charge. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I was not monetarily compensated for this review.