Tuesday Tales – The Last Snowman

The beautiful thing about story telling is that a simple life event can be inspiration. This is exactly what happened when JC Little, also known as The Animated Woman, decided to draw and tell the story of The Last Snowman. I had read about the book coming out, but one day TechyDad was talking with JC on Twitter and mentioned it would be perfect for Tuesday Tales. The rest is history, thanks to a review code being sent.  Oh and just an FYI, once the print copies are available I will be paying for my own to add to our library.

The Last Snowman by JC Little

If you are not familiar with JC, I have written about her Pickle Weasel app before. While the app is a lot of fun, JC’s blog is where she shares funny and sometimes more serious tales with her amazing animations. I mean come on, only JC can write about mammograms and squished boobs. More recently her post about self-publishing being similar to giving birth seems fitting with this post. Her blog is actually where The Last Snowman first appeared in a shorter format. Now, it is expanded and better than ever. You can purchase the eBook  in Kindle format and the print version is coming soon.

What I love about JC’s book is you can read the it and immediately take on her emotions as the mother looking at her teen daughter building a snowman.

Reading The Last Snowman by JC Little

As you read along, you can see the shift from pure story retelling, to a mother and daughter trying to hold onto some joys of childhood before becoming an adult. I could tell you more, but too much would really ruin the story. JC’s beautiful illustrations of that day and bigger life story truly give readers a lot to think about. Don’t be fooled, this book is not simply for mothers and their teens. I read the book with both of my young boys, and they really enjoyed the story of The Last Snowman as a picture book. This book would be a great talking point to use with teens, parents, and others that are going through a major life shift. I know I can not wait to see the next book from JC Little and hope that the birthing process is a little easier now that her first has been born.

What is your favorite post by JC Little on The Animated Woman?  If you have never read any, what are you waiting for?! As always, Tuesday Tales is all about sharing our love of books. Please let me know what you have read recently. Be sure to link up to your book posts in the comments below. Include something you read on your own, with a child, or someone else.

It's Me

Disclosure: As noted above, I received an eBook copy of this book from JC Little to review. No other compensation was received and all opinions are my own.

Share:
Share on Facebok
Share on Twitter
Share on Pinterest
Share on Google+



Holiday Baking Ideas to Go with Price Chopper #HolidayAdvantEdge

CB Disclosure White Background 600 px wide

Holiday Baking Ideas to Go with Price Chopper #shop

While many people host parties during the holiday season, we do not usually have any at our house. Many times I am asked to bake something to bring to another location. This busy time of year often means that I am in a rush and need to make something fun, festive, and delicious in a short amount of time. This time around, I wanted to make some fun wintry snowmen themed items. My plan was to bake something for everyone to have and create a snack activity for the kids to do when we arrived. I went to our local Price Chopper and after I scanned my AdvantEdge card, I made my way to the holiday decorations aisle. There was a wide variety of items, but I immediately focused on an adorable snowman tray that I knew would be perfect for transporting some goodies.

#HolidayAdvantEdge seasonal items #shop

From here, I made my way over to the baking aisle. I immediately was impressed with the huge selection of Betty Crocker items to select from. We enjoy baking with these products because they are quick, easy, you can personalize them, and they are kosher. After looking around for quite a while, I decided to make cupcakes and cookies. The Super Moist White Cake mix reminded me of a white snowman made fresh after a storm. Then the Hershey’s Cookies’n’Crème premium frosting reminded me of snow that gets a little dirty after people walk on it. I knew I wanted to top these cupcakes with a snowman and found some fun Peeps in the holiday area to finish these off.

Next, I knew I wanted a snack for kids to be able to get their hands dirty and keep busy. I could bake the cookies, put them on that cute snowman tray and bring items for them to make faces on top. I selected Snickerdoodle cookie mix first. Then I found the Betty Crocker cookie icing to make it look like a frosty friend. After that, I picked up a few more odds and ends like coconut, candy corn, and decorating gel for the faces.

Betty Crocker Baking items to make #shop

I made the cupcakes ahead of time. Once they were cool, I put them into my cupcake currier for easy transport to our final destination. I piped the Cookies’n’Crème frosting on top and let my son help me sprinkle the cookie crumble on top. Then I learned a lesson, the Peeps would need to be placed on top at the final destination for the second dozen in the bottom tray. Peeps are too big and thick for my giant case.

Snowmen Cupcakes #shop

The Snickerdoodles were baked just before we had to take them to decorate. Once they were cooled, I placed them on the snowman tray that I purchased and set up the decorating items. Candy corn for the nose, gel for the mouth, chocolate chips for eyes, and coconut to make it look more snow like on top of the white icing. 

Snowman cookie fun #shop

Here are some of the snowmen that everyone made from the first round of fun.

Snowman cookies for kids #shop

What is your favorite dessert to make and take to a holiday party? I would love to hear your ideas and whether or not you get the kids involved in the process.

It's Me

Follow Price Chopper Supermarkets Holiday Recipes & Inspirations on Pinterest

For more information on Price Chopper and to find the store nearest you, visit them online at pricechopper.com, On Twitter, Facebook, and Pinterest.

Disclosure: I am a member of Collective Bias® Social Fabric® Community. This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias and its client. I am a frequent Price Chopper customer and have written about them on my blog in the past.

Share:
Share on Facebok
Share on Twitter
Share on Pinterest
Share on Google+



Math Fun for Kids

As I mentioned a few months ago, I am writing posts on the Bedtime Math blog. The posts have been on a wide variety of topics since the first one.

My Bedtime Math Posts

It has been a lot of fun thinking about activities that we have done with the boys that were fun and locating math right in them. My mind already did that with science, so it just seemed pretty natural given my kids love math. So far I have written:

With winter break coming up and more days inside thanks to the weather, everyone is looking for more ideas to do at home. I hope you will join me over at Bedtime Math Blog to look for some fun activities from myself and the other bloggers there.

It's Me

Share:
Share on Facebok
Share on Twitter
Share on Pinterest
Share on Google+



Disney Character Encounters

Over the years, my boys have made finding Disney characters at Walt Disney World a sort of sport. Of course, it was not always like that. I still remember the first time they met characters at Chef Mickey back in May 2009. That trip we have a lot of photos of the kids keeping their distance from most of the characters they met, until a breakthrough on JSL’s second birthday with Tigger. They have come a long way from screaming, crying, and hiding under tables. Now both of the boys like to see what new characters are at the parks so they can add their autographs into our collection. Some more recent memories of magical moments with characters at Walt Disney World.

Disney World Character Encounters

Focused on the Magic

Be sure to stop by Focused on the Magic by clicking on the button above to join in the Disney magic this week.

It's Me

Share:
Share on Facebok
Share on Twitter
Share on Pinterest
Share on Google+



Birthdays Come and Birthdays Go

For weeks, I have been dreading this week. Not because of my birthday (today) and getting another year older. It has more to do with the crazy that is the week. Winter band/chorus concert, orthodontist appointment, Hebrew School, meeting, and another doctor appointment. In addition to these items, I need to turn up the heat on my public school advocacy. Some recent events have me even more concerned about the damage being done to children by education reform, specifically Common Core. Happy Birthday to me writing and calling more members of the NYS Assembly, more NYS Senators, and following up about something that still brings tears to my eyes from last week.

To distract me after plans for the weekend changed, my family thought ahead and asked to celebrate my birthday a day early. Sunday night we had a delicious dinner and ice cream cake (my childhood favorite) at Nana and Papa’s house.

Ice Cream Birthday Cake

Earlier in the day, TechyDad and I went shopping before the malls were super busy. I finally made it to the newly opened Vera Bradley store at the mall. I had received an amazing coupon to use and usually spent it online. It was such a great experience to go into the store and see the patterns and different items in person. In the end, I scored an amazing deal on a Backpack and wallet in Indigo Pop. Something very different, practical for my use, and fun colors to brighten the days and my travels.

Vera Bradley Birthday Backpack and wallet

Assuming we do not have a school delay for ice/snow, I hope to have a quiet day getting some work done and crocheting a bit. Now I will take a deep breath, count to ten, and get ready for whatever this week and the year ahead bring me.

It's Me

Share:
Share on Facebok
Share on Twitter
Share on Pinterest
Share on Google+