Momables - a Mom Sanity Saver!

As many of you know I have a very small daycare in my home - I love kids but I also LOVE handing the kids back at bedtime! I do enjoy cooking but my interests can be different than the kids and I get so tired of "but I don't like that!" (I then usually hear mmmmmm and little snorts as they are stuffing their faces.) So I started cruizing the internet looking for some new ideas for lunch menus and ideas that I can tweak for snacks. I had 3 things that I was specifically looking for:

1) Menus! & Grocery Lists!

2) Food Kids actually WILL eat!

3) Nutritious & Easy to Make!

And then I found Momables!

(they have a Healthy Homemade Poptarts recipe too!)

MOMables is a school lunch meal planning service that helps parents feed their kids a variety of lunches they will love. Their one simple plan approach has built in substitutions for vegetarian, gluten free and nut free options when needed (it is not a dairy free or vegan plan).

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When I logged into the system for my first week of menus I found that Laura had prepared 5 lunch menus. Plus the menus for the last two weeks are listed to so if there is something the kids absolutely won't try... I have other options!

I'll be the first to admit that my kids probably won't eat everything but this will be a GREAT start to introducing the kids to new foods each week. If I start small they will come (right? right?). What I loved about the menus too is that she gives me all the menus, tips on how to prepare them, pictures of what the food will look like and a shopping list.

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Last week I made the kids one of the lunches that was featured on her website to test on the kids. I called them "FUN Lunches" and made them up in a Easy Lunchbox for each kid. They LOVED it! and had fun exploring what I made them. I also downloaded the FREE sample week of Momables and tried Lunch 5 which is the Egg Salad with Turkey & Cheese Swords. Yeah.... they liked the swords (actually kabob sticks). Um Hmmm. Unfortunately the picture I took came out kinda blurry - but they loved them and thought they had to spear each others veggies and yeah.... I took the spears away. Aren't I mean?

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I can't wait to try the Strawberry Shortcake Wafflewiches either! (another FREEbie!) read: how to pack lunch for picky eaters

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I love the idea of an EASY Menu each week that's yummy, nutritious and Healthy!

 MOMables was started by Laura Fuentes, a mom of 3 kids under seven years old, to help other parents get out of the lunch packing rut. MOMables offers a weekly school lunch meal plan with 5 lunch ideas, a prep-ahead sheet and a shopping list to help us busy parents feed our kids good food they will actually eat for only $6 per month!

Laura has been kind enough to offer my readers a sample week of MOMables for FREE, when you sign up for their weekly newsletter. It’s also loaded with free recipes, tips and so much more.

WIN a 3 Month Subscription!
*** THIS giveaway was restarted on 9/8 - as a glitch in something made it disappear and I couldn't draw the winner ~ I'm sorry about this & hopefully one of the original enterers will win ***
 

Momables is also sponsoring a giveaway here on CCB! I'm just a little excited about this one - I think it will really be beneficial to you and we all know how hard it is to come up with new ideas that are healthy, delicious and not expensive - well, Momables a great option for your family and mine!

You can learn more about Momables Online @ Momables.com, on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Viddy and Twitter as well as check out their many menus on Pinterest. Please let them know CCB (Classic Children's Books) sent you. =D

Disclaimer: I was offered a 3 month subscription in exchange for my honest review of the Momables subscription service. I was not required to write a positive review and no money exchanged hands. Please note that this and other posts may include an affiliate link and income from affiliates helps provide you our readers with quality book reviews and other benefits. Thanks for reading!

 
 

NEW Children's Fantasy Series: Janitors (books 1 & 2)

A secret society of Janitors with wizard-like powers continue their battle, and now, the stakes are even higher. The Bureau of Educational Maintenance is after Alan Zumbro and this time they mean business, deadly business. Spencer, Daisy, and their little team of rebels must find the source of all magical Glop and destroy it before it can destroy the world as we know it. No small task with the BEM and their monster toxites at their heels. It’s a wild and dangerous ride as they follow the trail of clues all the way to the hiding place of the mysterious aurans: guardians of a secret landfill. What they discover there will change the way Spencer sees himself, not to mention the fate of the rebels.

  

Janitors

by Tyler Whitesides

ISBN:

$12.78 (hardcover)
$.99 (kindle)

About the book

Have you ever fallen asleep during math class? Are you easily distracted while listening to your English teacher? Do you find yourself completely uninterested in geography? Well, it may not be your fault. The janitors at Welcher Elementary know a secret, and it s draining all the smarts out of the kids. Twelve-year-old Spencer Zumbro, with the help of his classmate Daisy Gullible Gates, must fight with and against a secret, janitorial society that wields wizard-like powers. Who can Spencer and Daisy trust and how will they protect their school and possibly the world? Janitors is book 1 in a new children s fantasy series by debut novelist Tyler Whitesides. You ll never look at a mop the same way again.

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Read a Sample

Janitors: Secrets of New Forest Academy

by Tyler Whitesides

ISBN:

$16.14 (hardcover)

$10.44 (kindle)
Audio Versions also available.

About the book

No one takes Spencer Zumbro seriously when he tries to warn his classmates about the mysterious things prowling the halls and classrooms of Welcher Elementary School. But when he sees Marv, the janitor, going after one of the creatures with a vacuum, he knows he's not the only one who can see them. With the help of his new friend, Daisy, Spencer has to find out what the janitors know. The children's search uncovers the magic taking place behind the scenes of their seemingly ordinary school, where a battle is being waged for the minds of the students. Who can be trusted – and can Spencer and Daisy protect their school and possibly the world?

My thoughts:

hmmm. I have to say I really struggled with this series - not because I didn't think they were good, well written or funny - they are. I think it's because I'm an adult and well, they just didn't really catch my attention. I believe kids would really like them - middle grade kids (especially boys) love things that are dirty, gross and well... they'd probably love a series that includes creatures that only certain kids can see and when these creatures feed off kid's brainpower, chalk dust, germs and dig in the trash? Well, I think you get the idea!

Each of the books is written from the perspective of Spencer and includes his new friend Daisy. Spencer is a kid who is part of a broken family, neglected by his mother who is a messy mom, has to many kids and Spencer has learned to accept things as they come even though he hates the chaos & especially germs! After getting tricked into helping an agent who they think is one of the "good" guys after the janitors - they learn the true story behind the janitors and how they work to protect the schools. 

If you have a kid you think might enjoy a series like this - especially if they like mystery, messes, fast action and a little science fiction this series might be right up their alley. I would get the first book and see how they like it and go from there.

Learn more about this series @ http://www.tylerwhitesides.com/#/home

or on Facebook

About the author: 
Tyler Whitesides worked as a janitor at an elementary school to put himself through college. He graduated from Utah State University with a degree in music. In addition to writing novels, Tyler is an avid composer and arranger of instrumental music. He and his wife, Connie, who teaches third grade, live in northern Utah.

Disclaimer: I was offered a copy of the book to read and review on CCB. I was not required to have a positive review and no $$ exchanged hands. Thanks for reading. =D

The Candle Classics Bible

The Candle Classics Bible
ISBN: 978-1-85985-867-7
$ 10.79 (hardback)

About the book:
A Bible story for every day—365 of the best-loved Bible stories fully illustrated in a classic style will become favorites for children and parents alike, with each story divided into easy-to-read sections with the day, heading, and Scripture reference. Children are encouraged to spend family time together reading a new story each day.

• Old Testament: From the Story of Creation to Isaac, from Joseph to Ruth, from Job to David, from Elisha to the Prophets.
• New Testament: From John the Baptist to the story of Jesus, to the story of the Apostles, to John’s Vision of Heaven.

My thoughts:
I've been using the Candle Classics Bible with Connor this summer and he has really enjoyed the stories in the Bible. The stories are really short (only a few paragraphs long) and ideal for the older toddler to mid preschooler age. Connor could of easily listened to much longer stories. The pictures are large and fun to look at since they are very detailed, colorful and interesting.

My goal this summer was to start reading a story a day and while we didn't quite meet that goal many of the stories interested Connor enough to learn more and ask questions. Usually I was able to read 2-3 stories at a time with him and he always enjoyed reading them. This would be a great addition to family readings after dinner or if you are trying to start up a family devotions tradition.

Disclaimer: I was offered a copy of The Candle Classic Bible to read and review on CCB. I was not required to have a positive review and no $$ exchanged hands. Thanks for reading CCB.

Recess Monkey is back with Deep Sea Diver!

 

 

Recess Monkey is Back this summer to entertain and tickle your kids' (and the grownups too) funny bones with their new CD "Deep Sea Diver". This time they have fun songs like this song: Tambourine Submarine

 
I was very pleasantly surprised and the kids and I (Hailey 8 and Connor 5) all really enjoyed this CD. It's bouncy (very) and the variety (lots & lots) of sounds keeps it from sounding the same all the way through and getting boring. You'll hear great instruments like drums, electric guitars, trumpets and trombones as well as listen to a wide variety of musical styles - I heard everything from the Big Band sound to a little jazz and even a bit of rap. There is something for everyone on this CD.

I was just on their website and they are having a sale right now on their CD's. If you use the coupon code "Submarine" at checkout you can get an extra 20% off. The Deep Sea Diver CD is $14.99 - which is a great choice - but at 20% off that's even better. This would be a great stocking stuffer idea!

Would you like to see more of their videos and check out their music a little closer? Check out their YouTube Channel. Be sure to take a listen to Shrimp and Flapjacks. Both are awesome!

 

More Info:

 

(website & to Order Your CD!)

    

Disclaimer: I was offered a copy of Deep Sea Diver to read and review on CCB. I was not required to have a positive review and no $ exchanged hands. Thanks for reading!

This week we are linked up at:

  

The Tech Timeout Challenge!

Summer is winding down and school is starting this week for 2 of my kids and 1 starts preschool next Monday. It's the perfect time to join in the Tech Timeout Challenge! You can easily make it a goal to Make 1 Day each week in September as a Tech Timeout Day and challenge your kids (and yourself) to not turn on your:
Television CD/DVD Machines Laptop Computer Hand Held Games  

Click on the picture below and sign up. It's FREE! and you'll get all kinds of great tips and ideas for Family Activities that you can use!

 

I've entered a contest to try and win a iPad Mini - and you can help me out by signing up. If you do, would you let me know? I'd love to cheer your family on!

 

Here's an example of 50 things your family can do instead of watching TV...

      More blog hops @    

 

 

 

Goliath's Secret

Goliath's Secret

by Bonnie Feuer
illustrated by Sharai Platt

ISBN: 978-0982546888

$15.19 (hardcover)

About the book:

Near a waterfall in the lush West African forest, seven animals come across the wonderful, but silent, Goliath Frog. They all feel sorry for this giant, believing that he is unable to communicate. In rhyme and prose the West African animals describe the unique ways in which they communicate with one another. Using objects found in nature, they also try to help Goliath find his own voice. The caring animals are disappointed when the frog does not respond.... until he reveals his own surprising secret.

My thoughts:
What a delightful surprise Goliath's Secret was! I was not expecting it to be as educational as the story is. Your child will learn about how Giraffes and the way they communicate ~ as well as how Cranes, Otters and Fireflies "talk". There are interesting descriptions of the animals and what they look like as well as a little about their habitat. But... the real "plus" in the story is how each animal learns to accept the Giant Frog in the end and the surprise they receive at the end. This is a great book that teaches kids not to judge others on what they THINK they know about that individual in words that kids (and adults) understand and in a compassionate gentle way.

There are 32 beautiful full color illustrations in Goliath's Secret that feature West African animals. I was trying to see if they are painted or perhaps colored pencil or ink and didn't figure it out - but they are absolutely beautiful and perfect for this tale.

Be sure to add this to your library - it's perfect for teaching your kids about differences in others, West African animals and their habitats and to be honest would be a great introduction or book to read before heading to the zoo. You can purchase Goliath's Secret on Amazon here.

Disclaimer:
I was offered a copy of Goliath's Secret to read and review on CCB. I was not required to have a positive review and no $$ exchanged hands. Thanks for reading CCB.

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