Creative play with Connetix

 

Just opened up an email and my eyes were excited to learn avojy  Connetix Mini Packs.  The big stegosaurus caught my eye since my littlest is into all things dinosaurs.  Developmentally this is where my youngest is at—matching colors, identifying shapes, and loving puzzles.  This one you can tick all three boxes and then some.  Definitely adding this to his Birthday and Christmas list this year!  

With multiple kids in the house I like a toy that can span a wide age range and still spark play in each of them.  

Moana 2

 

We had a blast!  The movie theatre’s decoration is excellent.  In the eyes of this toddler—these vivid pictures is what this was all about. Having a three year old in the movie theatre is always a gamble.  Fill those little hands with food and drinks!  But this movie kept him captivated.  He laughed when all the other little kids in the audience laughed. 

For adults there was enough jokes to keep it going.  My older two ages 8 and 14 were laughing and enjoyed the movie as well.

After the movie was done he was excited to pose with all the decorations up for Moana 2! 

Movie is out:

Disney plus has it now!  Make a movie night in!  Popcorn, nachos, candy, or maybe healthy fruits 

Life with a 3 year old

What does one do when their toddler is no longer a toddler? 

With this new stage of life I have had to dig deep into our closets and find toys that have been packed away. 

Oh my ducks! Water can always be a fun way to make otherwise normal plastic duck toys 💯 x 💯 more interesting.

These ducks we picked up from a thrift shop were a steal.  Lots of fun initially because they are an animal he can sound like, pick up and hold easily, and a bountiful amount of them.  

Lightweight these ducklings can be easily packed into an on the go back pack.  They do have this amazing ability to float! This doubles as a fun bath time toy.  And something for when he comprehends shapes!  

 

Where can you get them?

A quick search on the internet and one can pick up some from eBay. Or if you thrift you just might make a score!

Urban Adventure Quest: Family Fun Scavenger Hunt in the City

A friend of mine a few years back said she wanted to do a scavenger hunt.  In my mind I thought that was way too much work to plan it all out.  I'm sorry to say the idea got tabled.  But I just happened to find out about a company that take all the work and planning out for you.  It's called Urban Adventure Quest.

I lived in Seattle for a short time as a college student.  Though I lived there, I had little time to really take in and enjoy the sites.  Not to mention as a freshman young lady, being alone in a city walking alone is just not ideal.  I wish I could have taken in the sights more, and now that I am not taking classes on a daily basis and cooped up in a classroom---I have time to hit up Seattle as a tourist!  I see all these movies, and pictures of Seattle--and though I have been up the Space Needle and walked around in the different parks and museums.  There is a lot I have yet to experience! 

Have you ever felt the same?  Well, I am very excited to share with you Urban Adventure Quest that gives you the chance to have the sights and fun--without the headache of hashing out and planning it yourself. 

What is Urban Adventure Quest?  

Turn Seattle, WA or any major city into a giant game board with this fun scavenger hunt adventure. Combine the excitement of the Amazing Race with a three-hour city tour. Guided from any smart phone, teams make their way among well known and overlooked gems of the city, solving clues and completing challenges while learning local history.

Play anytime during daylight hours.
Start when you want and play at your pace.
Great Family Fun.

Exclusive Special Offer for my readers:

Save 20%- Only $39.20 for a team of 2-5 people after Promotion Code: FGBLOG.
Sign up online at www.UrbanAdventureQuest.com.

I for one am excited to get together my band of friends and tour Seattle!  

What about you?  Are you excited at the possibility of doing an Amazing Race with your band of friends?  What city are you from? 

Click here to see what cities are available:  http://www.urbanadventurequest.com/tours/default.aspx

Disclosure: US Family Blogger, Promoting this event I do get compensation in free products or passes.  

Fall fun at the Maris Farm Fall Festival

Anybody ready for the Fall Festivities to begin? I sure am.
 A friend of ours had her first batch of tiny pumpkins harvested--which amped up my excitement for hitting the Farms to pick out our pumpkins.

One local farm in Washington State is Maris Farm.  This farm has a ton to offer.  Major attractions include a 5-acre Corn Maze and a 5-acre Pumpkin Patch.

My husband is not keen on doing festivities like this because of the major amount of people that flock to events like this.  Thankfully Maris Farm during weekday visits offer a quieter experience at a lower cost.  I am looking forward to this!

This year they have a Wizard of Oz corn maze.  I am such a fan of this movie.  Judy Garland singing "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" just gives me all the memories when I was a little girl.  The magical world of Oz was so real to me as a kid.  I cannot wait to see this corn maze and share the thrill of my childhood memories as Dorothy runs from the Wicked Witch of the West.

If you are local to the WA area be sure to grab this  EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT -
Come out to Maris Farms on either of the first two weekends (Sept. 29th/30th or Oct. 6th/7th) of the season and enjoy great savings at one of the Northwest's favorite fall family entertainment destinations.

You'll can navigate the Wizard of Oz corn maze, pick your favorite pumpkin, brave the Haunted Woods and enjoy more than 35 other great activities for $5 off with this coupon.

Check out www.marisfarms.com for driving directions and other details.

Click Here for your Maris Farms Coupon 

Our God is Able

This was something my daughter and I talked about after reading this in the Bible.  

 I wanted her to realize that sometimes in life there are unavoidable things. That there are tough situations and circumstances and if she found herself in one of them she could trust God to be there. Sometimes He will save you and sometimes He won’t,but whatever happens He will be there with you and not leave you. 

I wanted her to realize that sometimes in life there are unavoidable things. That there are tough situations and circumstances and if she found herself in one of them she could trust God to be there. Sometimes He will save you and sometimes He won’t, but whatever happens He will be there with you and not leave you. 

“If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up."”
‭‭Daniel‬ ‭3:17-18‬ ‭ESV‬‬
http://bible.com/59/dan.3.17-18.

We talked about how they might have felt afraid of dying. We talked about how this situation was scary. They had these feelings yet they responded in faith. They had a hope. They had God. Even if God didn’t save them, God would be there to take them up to heaven. Ultimately God would still deliver them either way. They had full confidence in A God who was very real and very powerful and very faithful. They had their eyes looking up to God who was their help.

This year I did something new and crazy.  She's in school.  At home I have this crazy thought, " I can keep her safe."  In fact when she's with me, I cannot control whether or not we get in a car wreck or by some freak accident our house collapses or....I cannot control and keep her totally safe.  Putting her in school made me realize how little I can control.  There is no telling what danger or threats could happen, but the fact is God is in control.  He needs to be not only my peace, but hers as well.  He needs to be real in her life.  She finds her ultimate safety in Him alone.  

I took a breath of relief after we finished this conversation.  God worked it out that we could talk about this!  My fears as a parent were laid down at His feet.  I can only pray for her to understand and know the One true God who is able to save.  

Disclosure: Picture is not mine, but from Walkfm