Worth Reading

We pulled out our Easter books after a very Spring like few days in Indiana.  It was wonderful and we've enjoyed reading our favorite Easter/bunny themed books.  These are our kid friendly reading recommendations for the month :) 

I've got a great collection of blog posts, books and articles to share with you today
that are all WORTH READING.

I loved Jennifer's post #sorrynotsorry : Parenting Edition detailing all of the areas where she compromises, makes sacrifices and loves on her kids without apologies.  It's a great read that I'm sure many of you could relate to.

 I mentioned last week that we tried our first attempt at making smoothie bowls.  They were delicious so I'm intrigued by this Banana Smoothie Bowl.  It looks so refreshing and tasty.

Let's Gift Them with Childhood was a post by Elizabeth that made me cry.  It's a great reminder about how silly it is to expect perfection from your kids and to give them the gift of being little.  A sweet story that makes me remember to treasure the joys of childhood with my kids and not expect them to be tiny adults.

Hilari shared her mom's most requested recipe for Mrs. Schae Bars recently and they look amazing.  What's not to love about a treat that has chocolate, pretzels, peanut butter, marshmallows and chex in it??

 Thank heavens for free printables on-line.  I tried to reinvent the wheel and make my own favor tags.  I wasn't happy with the end product and was thrilled to find these Simple Favor Tags.  I found these gems for my chocolate dipped pretzel favors that I'm doing for my sprinkle this week.  I printed them in navy and they're adorable.  It's so nice when talented people are generous with their designs.

I have yet to learn how to sew, but I love the idea of these Quilted Hexagon Coasters by Elise.  They look doable, functional and are really cute.  Maybe one day...

I loved teaching cursive handwriting when I was teaching 3rd grade in Utah.  My students loved learning it and caught on quickly.  I'm always intrigued about how each school and district decides to teach cursive and who finds it a necessary skill and who does not.  I think it should definitely be taught, learned and kids should be able to read it so it was fun to see this article on Politicians Refusing to Let Cursive Die.  What are your thoughts on the importance of cursive handwriting today??

Put down that Poptart and Make these Grab and Go Oatmeals instead!  Jessica shared this yummy recipe and I think it would make a great, easy breakfast option for my family.  Can't wait to try them.

7 Ways to Give Your Children a Fierce Love for Jesus was a good reminder from Kelly on how to get your kids involved and loving church at an early age.  She's such a light in this world and I love seeing how she teaches her family about God from such an early age.

I've got St. Patrick's Day on the brain lately and am so excited to make some rainbow treats.  Rainbow jello is one of my favorites with rainbow cupcakes a close second.  Do you make any fun treats for St. Patty's Day??

I enjoy this blog called Super Healthy Kids and was really intrigued by their Freezer Smoothie Packs.  They prepackage everything you need for a smoothie so it's ready to be dumped in a blender.  I love this idea and am hoping to get lots of these smoothie packs made before baby boy arrives in a few weeks.

This was a good read on Easing the Transition to a Toddler Bed since we'll be moving Olive to a big bed in the coming weeks.  I think we're going to have to come up with our own formula for success, but it was interesting to read their tips for making the transition go smoothly.

I loved this Rainbow Water Experiment that Andrea did with her kids.  It would be perfect for St. Patrick's Day and she's always got the best teacher mom ideas that are really doable.

I just finished Breaking Busy by Alli Worthington and it was WONDERFUL!

I flew threw the book and took notes all throughout.  Sometimes I have trouble making time to sit and read, but not with this book.  I was eager to read each new chapter.  I loved her style of writing and the way she made her life so relatable.  She is a hard working mom with a sweet husband raising FIVE boys so she knows all about the pressures of being busy.  I loved her biblical perspective on a life well lived and how you should be a good steward of your time.  Being busy is no way to live a life.  Worthington makes you rethink your own capacity, your schedule, your priorities and what you commit to spending your time doing.  She emphasizes the importance of self care, a healthy relationship with God, delegating tasks, recharging ourselves and embracing different things during different seasons of your life.  It was all music to my ears and I learned a lot from this book.  There are action steps at the end of each chapter that help you process everything and reevaluate your own habits.  I'd highly recommend this book to anyone especially if you're feeling controlled by your calendar or all of your obligations.  You'll thank me later :)

 * I was gifted this book in exchange for an honest review of it.

My favorite quotes from the book were:  

"Embracing the season of life we are in and the limitations that come with it helps us break busy and live life at a saner, more sustainable pace."  pg 35

Her nightly bedtime routine: "I snuggle up with one of them at a time, we listen to a song, read a short book and talk about the day.  I always insist on hearing three things that they are grateful for or at least three things they were happy about that day." pg 53

"God buried treasure inside each of us.  Our gifts, our strengths, our passions.  What we do with the gifts is up to us."  pg 69

"Worry is our attempt to control the future." pg 111

"Expectations - sometimes put on us by others, and sometimes ones we put on ourselves - have to be managed well to break the cycle of busy in our lives." pg 136

Have you read or written anything you've loved this month??

Share the link with me in the comments.