National Library Day is For the Birds! Nat Geo Kids Giveaway (3 Winners) Ends 4.22.22

To Celebrate National Library Day, celebrated on April 16, Nat Geo Kids has a flock of books that will surely take flight! In addition to winning a set of books for yourself, they are offering to send a set to your local library of choice! Flutter on down below to enter!

What a great way t start off spring with some awesome bird books.  I love Nat Geo for homeschooling.  We learn so much and they always have great pictures to go with everything.

Little Kids First Board Book: Birds (board book, ages Baby-3)

Designed to be the stepping stone to the best-selling National Geographic Little Kids First Big Book series, the Little Kids First Board Book series takes similar big subjects and distills them down to the simplest nonfiction concepts for the youngest audience. Not only will readers learn about a variety of birds, but they can also find recurring shapes and patterns in the art. At the same time, adults can keep their eyes open for occasional funny commentary from the animals. With their bright and playful design, fantastic photography, clear text, and cues to encourage interactive learning, the Little Kids First Board Books take a fresh new approach in making learning about nature and science fun.

“Parents, teachers, and curious children will be fascinated by this excellent introduction to birds. VERDICT Lush nature photography, concise language, a large print size, and a browsable layout: this offering is ideal for home, school, and library use” – School Library Journal

This adorable reference introduces young readers to birds of all kinds: big and small, flyers and swimmers, colorful and plain. They’ll find backyard favorites, such as robins and cardinals, and be introduced to more unique species that inhabit rainforests and deserts worldwide. Bird behaviors kids can relate to, including singing, dancing, building, swimming, and diving, reveal fascinating insights into the avian world. More than 100 colorful photos are paired with profiles of each bird, along with facts about the creatures’ sizes, diets, homes, and more. This charming book will quickly become a favorite at storytime, bedtime, and anytime.

Fly With Me: A Celebration of Birds Through Pictures, Poems and Stories (hardcover, ages 4-8) by Jane Yolen and Heidi Stemple

This thoughtful and beautifully curated collection of our flying, feathery friends highlights the role birds play in human life from centuries ago to today. While it’s beautiful and contains many original poems, it’s also full of real valuable science about these wondrous creatures. From history and behavior to spotting and photographing, there’s something for every bird fan in the flock. Young birders will learn all about migration and the importance of habitat conservation. They’ll find stories about bird rescues and fun facts about the fastest, strongest, and tiniest fliers. They’ll also discover the best bird nests, sweet songs to sing, ways to listen for and identify the birds around them, and more.

National Geographic Kids Bird Guide of North America, Second Edition (paperback, ages 8-12)

Fly into the world of birds in the most complete guide for kids to North America’s birds, featuring range maps, cool facts, interactive activities and crafts, and detailed descriptions and drawings by Jonathan Alderfer, one of the country’s top avian experts and artists. The guide features profiles of 50 of North America’s most popular birds–including how and where they live and tips about how to spot, hear, and attract them–and mini-profiles of another 100 birds for coverage of 150 bird species in all.

Everything Birds of Prey (paperback, ages 8-12)

Everything Birds of Prey introduces readers to the world’s most ferocious fliers from eagles to falcons and talons to beaks. With stunning visuals and energetic, impactful design, readers won’t stop until they’ve learned everything there is to know about birds of prey.

Stay Connected: #NationalLibraryDay and #thankalibrarian

Nat Geo Kids GIVEAWAY

 

Three winners will each receive Everything Birds of Prey NG Kids Bird Guide of North America 2nd ed, Fly With Me: A Celebration of Birds Through Pictures, Poems and Stories Little Kids First Big Book of Birds, and Little Kids First Board Book: Birds ($78). Open to U.S. residents of the 48 contiguous United States. You must be 18 years old to enter to win. This giveaway ends at 11:59 PM EST on 4.22.22. See below for terms and conditions.

☔️ APRIL SHOWERS HOP ☔️

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

How to Create an Eco Garden in Your Backyard

 

 

So you want to create an eco garden? This is a great way to bring more sustainability into your life. Sustainable gardening is a type of gardening that focuses on maintaining and restoring the natural environment. It aims to reduce the use of chemicals, water and energy. There are many benefits of sustainable gardening such as improved soil quality, better air quality and lower maintenance costs.

What is an Eco Garden, and How Does it Actually Work?

An eco garden is a garden that uses minimal resources and produces less waste. It is also known as a low-maintenance garden, which means it doesn’t require a lot of work. An eco garden can be anything from a small herb garden to an entire farm with animals. It is often referred to as “backyard gardening” because it can be done in your backyard or anywhere you have space for it. Eco gardens are becoming more popular because they are good for the environment and save time and money in the long run.

Why Do You Need to Install an Eco Garden?

The eco garden is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint and create a beautiful space for you and your family. It’s also an excellent way to start living more sustainably. Eco gardens are suitable for people who live in small spaces or have limited resources. They can also be used as a place where you can grow food and flowers, something that is both practical and aesthetically pleasing.

An eco garden allows you to grow food in your backyard, making it one of the best ways to reduce your carbon footprint. Plus, the benefits of having an eco garden are endless – from helping the environment to creating a beautiful space for you and your family.

What Will Make Your Eco Garden a Success?

There are many factors that make a successful eco garden. Some of the factors are putting in the right plants, having a compost bin, and rainwater tanks. A successful eco garden will not only be beautiful to look at but will also provide you with food and good water quality. Now that you know what success looks like, it is time to get started on your own eco garden!

How to Choose an Easy Eco-Friendly Plant for Your New Garden?

In order to choose the best plants for your garden, you have to consider factors such as soil quality, climate and light levels. You should also think about how much time you want to spend on caring for the plant. If you’re new to plants and gardening, be sure to do some research beforehand to ensure you get the right plants for the type of garden you want to create.

Keep Your Eco-Friendly Garden Alive, Healthy & Beautiful All Year Long

Eco-friendly gardening is an environmentally sustainable way of gardening. It means you can grow a garden that is not only beautiful but also healthy and pest-free. You’ll want to ensure that you have a good maintenance plan in place and that you’re looking to help your garden thrive naturally.

 

Giveaway Sterling Silver 2 Picture Mom Heart Locket

 

This Mother’s Day, PicturesOnGold.com has a beautiful assortment of Sterling Silver 2 Picture Mom Heart Lockets.  There are 9 different variations in all.

Each locket can be easily customized in 5 simple steps, and shipped in as little as one day.

Take a look at the easy steps:

Step 1: Select Your Locket
Step 2: Left Side Engraving Options

 

Step 3: Right Side Engraving Options

 

Step 4: Back Side Engraving Options 
Step 5 Select Your Chain

 

 

I received the opportunity to create my own personal Sterling Silver 2 Picture Mom Heart Locket and it came out so beautiful.  Check out this video:

 

You can create your own beautiful custom Sterling Silver 2 Picture Mom Heart Locket by visiting:

https://www.picturesongold.com/products/build-your-own-silver-picture-mom-heart-locket-p91083.html

 

 

GIVEAWAY 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

One winner will received a customized Sterling Silver 2 Picture Mom Heart Locket (RV $152.90). Open to US 18 and older. 

All entries will be verified—only one entrant per mailing address per giveaway. Any person who has won a prize (or whose household has won a prize) in any promotion sponsored by the Sponsor in the past thirty (30) days before this contest start date is not eligible to win a prize in this contest. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you will not be eligible to win it again. Entrants who have created social accounts purely to enter Competitions or Sweepstakes will not be eligible to win. All social accounts used must be public.

The winner will be chosen randomly through Rafflecopter and contacted via email. A reply to the winning email is required within 48 hours before a new winner is chosen. Void where prohibited by law. One person entering per household, please. Chatty Patty’s Place and Tabby’s Pantry are not responsible for the shipment of the prize.

The Basic Recipes Every New Chef Needs to Try

 

 

So you want to get better in the kitchen? It’s a good idea to start with the basics. A basic recipe is a list of ingredients and instructions on how to prepare the dish. It is usually found in the beginning of a cookbook or in online cooking websites. It also helps you to become a good chef. A new chef needs to learn the basics of cooking and food preparation. These basic recipes are essential to start with and will help you create your own signature dishes. This can cover off meat dishes, sauces, and some classic recipes too.

What are the Best Recipes for Beginners?

Whether you are a beginner or novice, these are some of the best recipes for beginners. They are simple to make and easy to follow. You’ll always want to make sure that you can make some of the most renowned dishes, these include a classic Indian curry, Italian spaghetti and meatballs, roast meat and all the trimmings, along with comforts like Shepherd’s pie and Chile Con Carne.

How to Start Cooking With Your First Recipe?

If you are a beginner and looking for a recipe to start with, you have to be committed. This is the most important question that any new cook will ask themselves. And it is a very good question because it is not as easy as it sounds. There are many things that need to be considered before you just jump into the kitchen and start cooking. You’ll want to find something that’s fun to make but also that you’re interested in too, as this will ensure you stay motivated in the kitchen.

What are the 5 Best Reasons You Should Start Cooking Today?

Cooking is a skill that everyone should learn. It is a great way to get in shape, eat healthier, and save money. Some of the best reasons to start cooking today are:

– Save money by learning how to cook. Cooking is cheaper than eating out every day.

– Learn healthy cooking habits that you can use to eat better for the rest of your life.

– Get in shape by cooking healthy meals at home instead of eating out all the time with unhealthy food choices.

– Use your creativity when you cook and have fun with different recipes and flavors.

How to Find the Best Recipes to Try & the Kitchen Essentials You Need to Buy

With the increasing number of recipe websites, it’s easier than ever to search for recipes online and just try out new things. But in order to do that, you need to ensure that you have the right cooking equipment. This is a light but good kitchen essentials checklist for people just starting out in the kitchen or those who want to upgrade their existing kitchen.

– Blender: A blender is a must-have tool in any kitchen. It can make smoothies, juices, sauces and more!

– Food Processor: This is a great tool because it can make quick work of chopping vegetables and making dough. It also has different blades that can be used for everything from chopping nuts to pureeing soup!

– Slow cooker: This tool allows you to cook food without having to monitor it constantly on your stovetop or oven.

 

DISNEY’S RING IT ON Game

We got DISNEY’S RING IT ON Free in exchange for an honest post all opinions are our own 

 

Looking for a great game to give little ones this Easter?  They are going to love Ring It On there is no reading, yet still a lot of fun and learning.  If you have a Disney lover in the house this is going to be a huge hit this year.

RING IT ON: Players race to make four-of-a-kind sets by swiftly swapping cards over and over in search of matches! Move fast and watch the cards because they can switch at any time! Find a set and ring that bell – ding! – and you’re one step closer to making all of your matches to win! It’s easy-to-learn, fast-paced excitement for the whole family! (Ages 6+)

 

Chase Your Dreams with Barbie and Barbie in BARBIE: IT TAKES TWO

Chase the Bright Lights in the Big City with Barbie and Barbie in

 

“Barbie: It Takes Two”

 

 

WHAT: Building upon the success of last year’s animated movie musical event, Barbie: It Takes Two follows best friends Barbie “Malibu” Roberts and Barbie “Brooklyn” Roberts as they strive for musical stardom at the prestigious Handler School of Performing Arts in New York City. Caught up in the hustle and bustle of the city that never sleeps, both “Malibu” and “Brooklyn” soon find that they’ll need to lean on each other, friends old and new, as well as their families if they’re ever going to make their dreams become a reality. Watch as the pair heads to school, record a music demo and go on fun, new adventures including camping!

 

Honing in on the importance of friendship, Barbie: It Takes Two showcases the pair’s  dynamic and kicks it up another notch as each Barbie chases their dreams and sets their sights on conquering New York City! Equal parts heartwarming, empowering and hilarious, Brooklyn and Malibu make their mark in the Big Apple in ways that will change them forever. Featuring brand new music and toe-tapping choreography that will bring kids and parents to their feet, the series promises to entertain audiences of all ages!

 

Additional assets including a media alert and stills can be found in the press kit link below.

 

WHERE: Streaming on Netflix

 

WHEN: The first installment of 13 episodes of Barbie: It Takes Two will debut on Netflix in the U.S. on April 8. Additional episodes will debut in fall of 2022.

Helping Your Kids To Become The Best They Can Possibly Be

Your kids are the most precious thing in your life, we have no doubt. They are amazing little people, but sometimes it’s hard to remember that you need to be helping them become the best person they can possibly be. A lot of people take this the wrong way and think that it means we need to push them into certain sports or certain skills, but this simply isn’t the truth. In this article, we’re going to be taking a look at some of the things that you can do to achieve this goal, so keep reading down below if you would like to find out more.

 

 

Teach Them Where You Can

 

One of the things that you should be doing is teaching them where you can. Sometimes this is going to be things like their school work and teaching syllables, where other times it is going to be other life lessons such as being kind to others. A lot of the opinions that kids have, and the things that they say are formed in the home, so you should be teaching them to be kind from a very early age.

 

Parents often underestimate how much of an impact they actually have on their children when they are growing up. Don’t forget that for a long time, you are their entire world which is a responsibility that you are going to have to take seriously. Teach them the things they need to know, and help them wherever you can. 

 

Let Them Make Their Mistakes

 

Another thing that you should be doing is letting them make their own mistakes as they grow up. It’s hard to do this as a parent, but it’s still got to be done. You have to allow them to experience things on their own so that they know for sure, rather than them just relying on being told by you. It’s possible to tell a kid something ten times, but until they experience it for themselves they are never going to know for sure, and their mind is always going to be curious.

 

While it might be tough to let them make their mistakes, it’s also how we grow as a person. It teaches your kids about the consequences of life and the things that can go wrong. It teaches you as a parent to take a little step back and let go, even when this is the hardest thing in the world to do.

 

Help Them Be Open Minded

 

One of the things that is going to help you get through life is the ability to be open minded, and that is why you need to teach this to your kids. They need to be open minded, not only towards others, but also towards themselves. Everyone deserves to be whoever they are, and sometimes it is a little bit of a process to find out who you are. You need to let them know that it’s okay to be open minded towards things that are different from what they perceive to be normal, and that normal can be really boring.

 

Open minded means accepting new ideas, being tolerant and accepting of other people, rather than just shutting down anything that you don’t understand or agree with. Everyone is different, and that is okay.

 

Allow Them To Follow Their Dreams

 

The final thing that you should do in order to teach them to be the best they can be is to allow them to follow their dreams. All kids should be able to pursue the things that make them happy, and they should have the confidence to do so. If they don’t at the moment, then it’s your job to get them to a point where they do.

 

This could mean taking them to sports games if it’s a sport that they love, and driving them to practice on the weekends. Encouraging them to pursue their dreams will help to teach them dedication and passion, and show them that hard work pays off in the end.

 

We hope that you have found this article helpful, and now see some of the things that you can do to help your kids become the best they can possibly be. We are raising the next generation of humans here, and we want to be able to look back one day and say that we did it to the best of our ability. To be able to do this, we have to be willing to help our kids be the best they can be, now.

Having a Healthy Approach to Recharging: What You Need To Do When Your Kids Finally Go To Sleep

 

 

We all have those days when we feel absolutely frazzled because our children have taken it out of us. As amazing as it is to spend time baking and interacting with them, you may want to think about time away so you can properly recharge. For most parents, this means when their kids have gone to sleep. When they go to sleep, this usually means that they can scroll through social media, put the TV on, and just vegetate. And while there is nothing wrong with this, you’ve got to make sure that you recharge in the right ways, so what can you do? 

Choose One Practice That Really Relaxes You

Relaxation, when done right, is going to help balance out any negative things that occurred throughout the day. Whether you felt overwhelmed because your children were too hyper or you didn’t sleep properly, you need to find the right thing to make you feel like you can actually unwind. The fact is that this could be having some THCO or having five minutes of meditation, whatever works, it’s entirely up to you! But you’ve got to make sure that it really does bring out that relaxation response; that one where you just can’t keep your eyes open. 

Limit Your Information Intake Before Bed

Some people may feel that when their children go to bed, it’s now time for them to catch up on the things that matter to them. But if you are reading the news before you go to sleep or you’re going on social media, the fact is that you could benefit from having less information because you need to keep calm in the run-up to sleep. Because if you read about the financial crisis or those concerns that have been at the back of your mind you are going to make these issues worse. If you really need to check information, it’s far better to do it during the day. When it comes to information gathering, less is definitely more. 

Understand Your Limits

We can all feel overwhelmed, which is why we need to retreat on occasion. And it’s important to keep those boundaries. So let the important people in your life know that you are feeling overwhelmed, so you just need a few minutes of quiet and relaxation. There’s no point in feeling guilty that you need this, especially when the children have gone to sleep. 

Do Some Meditation

Not everybody can get on board with meditation, but it comes in many different forms. If you just like listening to relaxing music, you can easily put your headphones on and can start unwinding. There are other ways for you to do it, such as deep breathing. Deep breathing doesn’t take long to do and is a way to stimulate your parasympathetic nervous system, the relaxation response. 

 

Recharging is so important because if we do not do it properly when our children wake up (whether at night or the next day), we are already starting with an energy deficit. When we feel overwhelmed or stressed, this is when we make mistakes or say things to our children that we don’t mean or regret. As soon as your kids go to sleep, even if you have five minutes, it’s important to jump on this!

 

My Friend Peppa Pig – Pirate Adventures New DLC Brings Seafaring Fun to the Acclaimed Children’s Video Game

Today, Outright Games has launched the first-ever downloadable content for the acclaimed children’s video game My Friend Peppa Pig – Pirate Adventures. The DLC brings new characters, new locations and new ways to play as Peppa and the crew set sail once again. This new content is now available to purchase on Xbox One, Xbox Series X, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, PC and Nintendo Switch.

It’s a pirate’s life for Peppa in this special adventure aboard Captain Hog’s boat hunting for hidden treasure. Explore all-new locations including Captain Hog’s Hideout, Belinda Bear’s House, Treasure Island, Mollie Mole’s house, and Danny Dog‘s birthday party. As if that wasn’t enough , there are over thirty new activities to try out including raising a pirate flag and talking with Polly Parrot. Get ready to batten down the hatches and set sail with Peppa and her pirate pals!

My Friend Peppa Pig, based on Hasbro’s #1 children’s tv show, was released in October 2021 on consoles, PC and Stadia, and then on next-generation consoles in January 2022, to huge acclaim from fans, parents and critics alike. The open-world, storytelling adventure game allows players to create their own avatar, become Peppa‘s newest friend and explore fan favorite locations from the show.

Death on the Nile Available on DVD April 5th

Digital on March 29th on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and DVD April 5th.

 

Film Synopsis

Belgian sleuth Hercule Poirot’s (Kenneth Branagh) spectacular Egyptian vacation aboard a river boat becomes a terrifying search for a murderer after a picture-perfect couple’s honeymoon is cut tragically short. Based on Agatha Christie’s novel, this tale of passion and jealousy is filled with wicked twists and turns until its shocking finale.

 

“GORGEOUS, EXTRAVAGANT, INVENTIVE”

– Rafer Guzman, NEWSDAY 

 

Embark on The Must-See Murder Mystery When Death on the Nile Arrives on Digital March 29 and 4K Ultra HD™, Blu-ray™ and DVD on April 5.

 

LOS ANGELES, CA (March 17, 2022) – Based on Agatha Christie’s beloved 1937 novel, director Kenneth Branagh and an all-star cast bring new life to one of the most popular murder mysteries of all time.  Critics and audiences alike have praised the exquisite Death on the Nile for its stunning cinematography, rich storytelling and outstanding ensemble cast. Available on Digital March 29 and on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and DVD on April 5. 

 

 

Bonus Features*

Featurettes

  • Death on the Nile: Novel to Film – Explore the new vision for Agatha Christie’s classic novel DEATH ON THE NILE, and how Kenneth Branagh and screenwriter Michael Green collaborated with Christie’s estate to bring a new twist to this story of love and murder.
  • Agatha Christie: Travel Can Be Murder – The story behind the book connects with Christie’s own love of travel, and especially Egypt and its secrets. Her legacy continues through her family and new generations of filmmakers and actors, all at once contributing to the immortality of her novels.
  • Design on the Nile – The setting, the costumes, the photography, all contribute to the Agatha Christie touch. We take a fun tour of this “ship of suspects” and learn details about the overall look and design of everything from the characters to the environment.
  • Branagh/Poirot – Kenneth Branagh is a one-of-a-kind artist who can switch hats with exceptional skill, playing Poirot one moment and directing the next. This piece pays tribute to Branagh’s ability to stay connected to his cast and creative team through it all.

Deleted Scenes

  • The Market
  • Poirot’s Cabin
  • Rosalie and Bouc Outside Temple
  • Windlesham Jogging
  • Poirot Discusses Case
  • Poirot and Bouc Approach Jackie
  • Confronting Bouc and the Otterbournes
  • Poirot Orders Books

 

*bonus features vary by product and retailer

 

Cast

Kenneth Branagh as Hercule Poirot

Tom Bateman as Bouc

Annette Bening as Euphemia Bouc

Russell Brand as Dr. Bessner

Ali Fazal as Andrew Katchadourian

Dawn French as Bowers

Gal Gadot as Linnet Ridgeway Doyle

Armie Hammer as Simon Doyle

Rose Leslie as Louise Bourget

Emma Mackey as Jacqueline de Bellefort

Sophie Okonedo as Salome Otterbourne

Jennifer Saunders as Marie Van Schuyler

& Letitia Wright as Rosalie Otterbourne