Amon's Adventure - A Book for Easter

Amon's Adventure - A Book for Easter

A few years ago, the kids and I discovered a book called Jotham's Journey by Arnold Ytreeide.  It is a story designed to be read during the advent.  Mr. Ytreeide gives several ways to schedule the readings, but basically you read a story each night leading up to Christmas. Each lesson ends with a scripture to consider and a short thought related to the day's reading, making it perfect for family devotions.

The story is about a ten-year-old boy, Jotham, who crosses Israel as he searches for his family that he was separated from. Though he faces thieves, robbers, and kidnappers, Jotham also encounters the wise men, shepherds, and innkeepers until at last he finds his way to the Savior born in Bethlehem. 

I really didn't know what to expect when we started the book.  However, my kids loved it.  Each night they begged me to read more.  They didn't like to have to wait till the next night!  I have to admit I was tempted to read ahead more than once. It was a powerful story! This year, we are reading a book by the same author called Amon's Adventure. It is the story of Amon who happens to be the son of some main characters from Jotham Journey.  In this story designed to be read during Lent, we follow Amon's life and intrigue around the temple in Jerusalem during the time when Jesus was approaching His passion.

It is again a page turner.  The kids can't wait to read the next part of the story.  I love that it is a unique way to present the gospel to the kids.

I will say that Jotham's Journey did have a few intense parts.  However, my kids were fine with it.  It kept my 2 oldest attention the best.  (They were 5 and 7 at the time we read it).

I highly recommend these books as a family tradition!

You've Been EGGED! - Easter Traditions

Easter is quickly approaching and we want to 

share a few of our favorite family Easter 

traditions in the next few weeks. 

We had so much fun 

"Egging" our friends and 

neighbors last year! 

It's a super fun activity that involves 

the entire family. 

It's also a great way to remind 

everyone why we celebrate Easter! 

All you need is:

12 Eggs per House

Candy to fill Eggs

1 Sign per House (Download one here) 

Several Excited Kids

We chose to stuff the eggs 

the night before.

Even the little ones enjoyed 

stuffing eggs!

Once you have a bag full of eggs 

(don't forget to have a bag

of empty eggs!)

it's time to go EGGING! 

Head on over to a neighbor's house!

Hide 11 filled eggs and

1 empty egg!

Hang a sign explaining to your neighbors

and friends why there are eggs all over their yard! 

This is so much fun for everyone!

Don't worry if you get caught in action!

We can't wait to go EGGING again this

year! I think it's safe to say that 

the kids enjoyed this more than 

the traditional Easter Egg Hunt!

I did make a new prettier 

sign for us to hang this year. 

Feel free to download it and go spread the true

meaning of Easter to your friends and neighbors! 

Watch out TX friends, your

house might be getting EGGED soon! 

Download Here

John 3:16 Valentine's Day Printable

I made this to put in an

 8x10 frame in the kitchen

as Valentine's Day decor. 

Reminding us all of 

the greatest love this

Valentine's season. 

Download Here

Happy Sunday! 

BOO BREAKFAST

A couple of years ago 

on Halloween Eve I decided we 

should have our 1st annual

BOO BREAKFAST! 

We really don't celebrate Halloween

much but I thought it would be a fun 

tradition! 

It was too late to go to the store so I looked around 

the kitchen and used what I could find.

It's amazing what all you can do

 with a black magic marker! :) 

I had clear little cups that I filled with milk.

I drew ghost faces and bows

to make them look like cute ghosts. 

I drew smiley ghost faces on plain paper plates. 

I had a bag of cuties so 

I drew faces (and again bows)

on them to make them little 

jack-o-lanterns!

Marshmallows and doughnuts are staples at our house.

 I filled a vase with mini-marshmellows

and stuck doughnuts on a screwers

to make mummies!

Chocolate morsels were used for the eyes.

I also made mummies

out of crescent rolls 

and baby sausages. 

I used mustard for the eyes. 

The kids loved their

surprise BOO BREAKFAST!

We have ten days to our 3rd annual

 BOO BREAKFAST!

In fact, I'm in charge of teacher appreciation at 

the girl's school so I am planning a

BOO BREAKFAST for 

all the teachers and staff

next week! 

I look forward to sharing 

what we can come up with

with a little preparation! 

Blessing #3: Another October Birthday Celebration

October is a busy birthday month around the Pool household. However today's celebration was slightly different. Two years ago on 10-10-11, our oldest and only son, John Mark prayed to receive Christ as his personal lord and Savior. So today we celebrated a different type of "birth" day!!!

We are so proud of this decision our son made and want to help him celebrate it year after year. We talked a lot about his Christian faith today, some of things he believes, and questions that He has. It is exciting to watch him grow in his walk. 

On the kids birthdays, I usually interview them about things they like so we can see how they change each year. I decided to try to do something similar with John Mark today. Below was some of his answers. 

Favorite Bible Verse: Matthew 12:34 

Favorite Bible Story: Job

Favorite song: City on our knees 

Favorite Christian artist: Toby Mac (I don't see this one changing anytime soon)

He also said he wanted to be a preacher when he grows up although astronaut made the list too!!!

I asked him what were his plans to grow deeper this next year? He quickly replied that he had to go to church camp!!!  

We love this boy!!!  Can't wait to have additional "birth" days to celebrate at our house!  

You Are What You Eat, So Eat Something Cute!

Nixon Grace talked about wanting a Pinkalicious 

party for an entire year.

It was her favorite book and

provided an easy themed

party to plan.

In case you have never read the 

book "Pinkalicious" it's

about a little girl who eats 

too many pink cupcakes and turns PINK! 

The party was held at 

Scrumdiddlyumptious,

a cute local bakery.

Everyone was told to wear 

pink on the invitation.

Her grandmother even 

dressed up like 

Pinkalicious!

For decorations I used

pictures of Nixon, copies of the book,

and Pinkalicious toys.  

I bought cupcake ornaments and made tags saying

"Thanks for Making My Birthday 

Pinkalicious!"

I gave these to all the adults who

helped or traveled many miles

to attend the party. 

I always frame a picture of the invitation

for an easy decoration. 

Inside the bakery I made a simple pink

birthday banner. 

(this was before I had a Cricut) 

The food and cute bakery provided 

most of the decorations!

Of course all the food was PINK!

We had:

Pink Whoopers

Cherries

Pink Jellybeans

Pink Rice Krispies

Flower Shaped Strawberry Jelly Sandwiches

Marshmallow Cupcakes on a Stick

Strawberry Sugar Waffers

Pink Sixlets

and CUPCAKES!

The Marshmallow Cupcakes were

used as centerpieces for the tables. 

I used scrapbook paper to

make party hats for each girl.

As each gust arrived they received

a personalized apron. 

(I am NOT a photographer)

They entered to a side room

where they decorated

their fairy wings. 

(Pinkalicious wears wings)

Miss Haley was there to paint the

girl's nails pink and spray their

hair pink! 

After everyone got all

"Pinkalicious" Aunt Rita read the book.

Then the girls decorated

their own pink cupcake!

This was a hit! (and a little messy)

After everyone finished decorating their cupcake it was time to chow down!

Since everyone had cupcakes

I had a little cake made for Nixon. 

In the foyer I had a little

treat for the moms. 

For party favors we gave each girl

(along with an apron and wings)

a PINK sugar cookie to take home!

It was such an easy & fun party 

to plan! Nixon still talks about

 it almost 3 years later! 

I will never forget as we were leaving the 

driveway of the bakery

Nixon told me,

 "I want a Rapunzel party next year!"

At least she gives me a year to plan! 

She never changes her mind.