Mother's Day is quickly approaching, here is a DIY Photo Gift Idea along with some of my favorite Mother's Day gifts throughout the years.  I love pictures, and I must say these Mod Podge Photo Letters were really easy to make and I love the way they turned out.

 What you need:
1. Paper Mache Letters (I found at Hobby Lobby for $2 a piece)
2. Paint for your letters. 
(I used black spray paint I had on one set and craft acrylic paint for the other set)
3. Printed photos printed on paper using a color laser printer. Real Photos or photo paper is too thick for this paper mache project.  
(I placed all my images in a Word Doc and then sent to my local Postal and Print Place, for 4 pages it was less than $3)

 Directions:
1. Paint your Paper Mache Letters let dry.
2. Cut out your photos and arrange around the letters.  
3. Place Mod Podge on the back of the photo and lay flat on the letter, pushing out any air bubbles, once you have completely placed all your photos, let dry.  They should be dry by the time you finish your next letter.  
4. Lastly brush on Mod Podge over the photos with a sponge paint brush.  Let dry and do a 2nd coat.
 





Over the years as a mom, I have received a variety of Mother's Day gifts and given a variety of gifts to the mom's in my life.  I must say for myself I really appreciate homemade gifts and gifts with meaning.  Of course, it's always nice to be pampered, I've received and given gift certificates for a massage or manicure and pedicure.  I have given gift cards so they can purchase something they want or to their favorite restaurant.  I love receiving and giving flowers.  If you are looking for a great deal on roses, go to Costco.com you can place an order for 50 roses for ONLY $39.99.  This is not a sponsored post, just sharing a great deal. Place your order soon, though it is only while supplies last.  You can pre-schedule your delivery date.
Although a nice new purse and pampering are appreciated, I must say my most treasured Mother's Day gifts are ones made with photos, personalized gifts or hand-painted items my children have made.  Last year we made a special video for our grandmas to go with their gift.  I gave my mother-in-law a blanket with all the grandkids names on it.  Here is where I ordered mine https://bit.ly/2qDfDRo.


I love this photo holder gift I had my sister-in-law make for my mom for one Mother's Day that says "Grandkids Make Life  More Grand".  These are keepsakes that in my opinion are way better than any manicure or massage.  You can find similar items on Etsy and also local craft fairs.  An upcoming local Strawberry Festival is a great place to pick up some homemade jam, specialty food products or wood crafts like the one pictured below.  For more info on the Strawberry Festival, you can check that out here 2018 BerryFest Strawberry Festival.
I am so grateful for the school teachers and church teachers who have made different Mother's Day crafts with my kids because again, those handmade gifts are my favorite of all time.  Here are two of my favorites this planter with painted butterfly using my son's footprint which is a great idea for a grandma and this canvas with a picture of my son blowing hearts.

 Many times local retailers will host DIY Craft events, we went to one last year and made a similar planter at our local Orchard Supply Hardware.  I've seen similar events at Michael's so keep your eye out for those as well.  Many times they are completely free, other times there is a small fee for the craft supplies.  

One Mother's Day my sister and mom made a shadow box for me with my son's christening outfit and pictures of all four boys in that same baby dedication outfit.  I love it!

 One year for my Mother's Day gift, my husband and boys planted a garden for me in our backyard.  I had been talking about planting a garden for a while and just never made it happen, then they surprised me with a garden.  That is a great tip, listen to what they have been talking about it can be something they need or something they need to be done for them.
One year for Mother's Day I hosted a Mother's Day brunch at our home and invited my mom and mother-in-law and all our family, my sisters-in-law's who are mom's too. It was a fun get together and the moms did not have to cook or clean. A great tip is to plan something like a brunch or dinner on another date than Mother's Day.  That way everyone can still celebrate with their families on that specific day but know you all are getting together either the week before or the week after.

 One year all of us women went out to lunch and a movie, that was another memorable mother's day that stands out to me.  My husband took care of the boys and I went out with all the ladies, it was great to have time together and just enjoy the day relaxing and laughing with a movie and lunch together.  We watched Mom's Day Out, it was a great movie with lot's of laughter.
These are just a few ideas that I hope will help you this Mother's Day in your gift giving or feel free to send this link to your husband. I know after making these photo letters for my kid's grandma's I am making a set for myself.  I know I can't expect my husband to hop on Pinterest for a DIY Mother's Day project, although he is always very thoughtful and great at celebrating Mother's Day.  That is another tip for you moms, if there is a craft project you've seen that you love, make one for yourself there is nothing wrong with that.  I know you'll look back in a few years and be grateful you made it.  Especially when they are little, make all the handprint and footprint crafts because they grow so fast.  Capture lot's of video asking your littles questions about their mom and capture their sweet voices and those words they don't pronounce correctly, you'll be so happy you did later.  

 Thank you for reading if you’ve enjoyed the content you’ve read above please share with your friends. www.BlogAboutItAll.com.

Mother's Day Gift Ideas
Mother's Day is quickly approaching, here is a DIY Photo Gift Idea along with some of my favorite Mother's Day gifts throughout the years.  I love pictures, and I must say these Mod Podge Photo Letters were really easy to make and I love the way they turned out.

 What you need:
1. Paper Mache Letters (I found at Hobby Lobby for $2 a piece)
2. Paint for your letters. 
(I used black spray paint I had on one set and craft acrylic paint for the other set)
3. Printed photos printed on paper using a color laser printer. Real Photos or photo paper is too thick for this paper mache project.  
(I placed all my images in a Word Doc and then sent to my local Postal and Print Place, for 4 pages it was less than $3)

 Directions:
1. Paint your Paper Mache Letters let dry.
2. Cut out your photos and arrange around the letters.  
3. Place Mod Podge on the back of the photo and lay flat on the letter, pushing out any air bubbles, once you have completely placed all your photos, let dry.  They should be dry by the time you finish your next letter.  
4. Lastly brush on Mod Podge over the photos with a sponge paint brush.  Let dry and do a 2nd coat.
 





Over the years as a mom, I have received a variety of Mother's Day gifts and given a variety of gifts to the mom's in my life.  I must say for myself I really appreciate homemade gifts and gifts with meaning.  Of course, it's always nice to be pampered, I've received and given gift certificates for a massage or manicure and pedicure.  I have given gift cards so they can purchase something they want or to their favorite restaurant.  I love receiving and giving flowers.  If you are looking for a great deal on roses, go to Costco.com you can place an order for 50 roses for ONLY $39.99.  This is not a sponsored post, just sharing a great deal. Place your order soon, though it is only while supplies last.  You can pre-schedule your delivery date.
Although a nice new purse and pampering are appreciated, I must say my most treasured Mother's Day gifts are ones made with photos, personalized gifts or hand-painted items my children have made.  Last year we made a special video for our grandmas to go with their gift.  I gave my mother-in-law a blanket with all the grandkids names on it.  Here is where I ordered mine https://bit.ly/2qDfDRo.


I love this photo holder gift I had my sister-in-law make for my mom for one Mother's Day that says "Grandkids Make Life  More Grand".  These are keepsakes that in my opinion are way better than any manicure or massage.  You can find similar items on Etsy and also local craft fairs.  An upcoming local Strawberry Festival is a great place to pick up some homemade jam, specialty food products or wood crafts like the one pictured below.  For more info on the Strawberry Festival, you can check that out here 2018 BerryFest Strawberry Festival.
I am so grateful for the school teachers and church teachers who have made different Mother's Day crafts with my kids because again, those handmade gifts are my favorite of all time.  Here are two of my favorites this planter with painted butterfly using my son's footprint which is a great idea for a grandma and this canvas with a picture of my son blowing hearts.

 Many times local retailers will host DIY Craft events, we went to one last year and made a similar planter at our local Orchard Supply Hardware.  I've seen similar events at Michael's so keep your eye out for those as well.  Many times they are completely free, other times there is a small fee for the craft supplies.  

One Mother's Day my sister and mom made a shadow box for me with my son's christening outfit and pictures of all four boys in that same baby dedication outfit.  I love it!

 One year for my Mother's Day gift, my husband and boys planted a garden for me in our backyard.  I had been talking about planting a garden for a while and just never made it happen, then they surprised me with a garden.  That is a great tip, listen to what they have been talking about it can be something they need or something they need to be done for them.
One year for Mother's Day I hosted a Mother's Day brunch at our home and invited my mom and mother-in-law and all our family, my sisters-in-law's who are mom's too. It was a fun get together and the moms did not have to cook or clean. A great tip is to plan something like a brunch or dinner on another date than Mother's Day.  That way everyone can still celebrate with their families on that specific day but know you all are getting together either the week before or the week after.

 One year all of us women went out to lunch and a movie, that was another memorable mother's day that stands out to me.  My husband took care of the boys and I went out with all the ladies, it was great to have time together and just enjoy the day relaxing and laughing with a movie and lunch together.  We watched Mom's Day Out, it was a great movie with lot's of laughter.
These are just a few ideas that I hope will help you this Mother's Day in your gift giving or feel free to send this link to your husband. I know after making these photo letters for my kid's grandma's I am making a set for myself.  I know I can't expect my husband to hop on Pinterest for a DIY Mother's Day project, although he is always very thoughtful and great at celebrating Mother's Day.  That is another tip for you moms, if there is a craft project you've seen that you love, make one for yourself there is nothing wrong with that.  I know you'll look back in a few years and be grateful you made it.  Especially when they are little, make all the handprint and footprint crafts because they grow so fast.  Capture lot's of video asking your littles questions about their mom and capture their sweet voices and those words they don't pronounce correctly, you'll be so happy you did later.  

 Thank you for reading if you’ve enjoyed the content you’ve read above please share with your friends. www.BlogAboutItAll.com.
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Summer is just around the corner!  I know you will be looking for things to do this summer and ways to keep the kids busy without breaking the bank.  

 This is one of the BEST Summer deals around! Sign up at KidsBowlFree.com and your kids can bowl 2 FREE games of bowling every day, all summer long!  It actually starts in the middle of April at our bowling locations. If you homeschool, this is great because you can start bowling now! You don't have to wait until most schools are out in June.

 Register TODAY and then you will get e-mail reminders with your coupons to bowl.  This way you don't have to remember later this summer to sign up.
Here is the link to Register: https://bit.ly/2qdYiPH
The other great thing is when you register they will offer you a family pass deal, depending on the package you choose, 1 adult to 4 adults can bowl along with the kids for a very reasonable price.  Check your bowling times, at one of the locations near us you can bowl till 8 PM.  Adding the family pass would be a great thing to add if you want to have a spouse meet you after work and have family bowling night.

 We sign up every year for this and we love it.  This comes in handy when it's too hot to be outside, or if we have a surprise rainy day and need somewhere indoors to go.  

 Here is my list of Free and Cheap Things To Do that I posted last year
https://bit.ly/2GG5PRr.  The movie links have not been updated yet with the 2018 movie schedule, but I will post that as well once I see it released.
Thank you for reading if you've enjoyed the content you've read above please share with your friends.

Kids Bowl Free All Summer
Summer is just around the corner!  I know you will be looking for things to do this summer and ways to keep the kids busy without breaking the bank.  

 This is one of the BEST Summer deals around! Sign up at KidsBowlFree.com and your kids can bowl 2 FREE games of bowling every day, all summer long!  It actually starts in the middle of April at our bowling locations. If you homeschool, this is great because you can start bowling now! You don't have to wait until most schools are out in June.

 Register TODAY and then you will get e-mail reminders with your coupons to bowl.  This way you don't have to remember later this summer to sign up.
Here is the link to Register: https://bit.ly/2qdYiPH
The other great thing is when you register they will offer you a family pass deal, depending on the package you choose, 1 adult to 4 adults can bowl along with the kids for a very reasonable price.  Check your bowling times, at one of the locations near us you can bowl till 8 PM.  Adding the family pass would be a great thing to add if you want to have a spouse meet you after work and have family bowling night.

 We sign up every year for this and we love it.  This comes in handy when it's too hot to be outside, or if we have a surprise rainy day and need somewhere indoors to go.  

 Here is my list of Free and Cheap Things To Do that I posted last year
https://bit.ly/2GG5PRr.  The movie links have not been updated yet with the 2018 movie schedule, but I will post that as well once I see it released.
Thank you for reading if you've enjoyed the content you've read above please share with your friends.
Read more »
This is one of my family's favorite earth day celebrations to attend there is always a great variety of vendors, free goodies, and family-friendly entertainment.  

This event, formerly "Celebrate the Earth Festival" under the management of the City of Roseville, will this year celebrate Mother Earth, with a focus on the Arts, Libraries, Community Organizations, Culture and the Environment. 

This is a FREE family event! 100 local artists will also be joining with the various libraries of Placer County to create "My Favorite Book" sculptures that will be on display at the festival and afterward at various Libraries in Placer County.

Date and Time | Saturday, April 21, 2018 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM PDT

Location | Royer Park, 190 Park Drive, Roseville, CA 95678


Devoting a special day to helping the earth is a way to demonstrate how much we care about the future of our planet. No matter what you like to do best, there's a way to get involved in Earth Day. You could plant a tree, make a meal with locally-grown vegetables, educate a family member, clean up trash in your neighborhood, set up a bird feeder or save power — the possibilities are endless. Remember, you don't have to wait for Earth Day to show your love for the planet we call home. 

For more information visit http://www.placerarts.org/earthday/.
A few years back, our family was photographed at the Earth Day Festival and our photo was used on their social media and a local magazine, we thought that was pretty neat. 
Here are some pictures from previous years of our family at the Celebrate the Earth Festival.  I hope you are able to go out and enjoy all the free family fun!  Saturday, April 21, 2018.

Thank you for reading if you’ve enjoyed the content you’ve read above please share with your friends. www.BlogAboutItAll.com.

 



Earth Day Celebration | Placer County 2018
This is one of my family's favorite earth day celebrations to attend there is always a great variety of vendors, free goodies, and family-friendly entertainment.  

This event, formerly "Celebrate the Earth Festival" under the management of the City of Roseville, will this year celebrate Mother Earth, with a focus on the Arts, Libraries, Community Organizations, Culture and the Environment. 

This is a FREE family event! 100 local artists will also be joining with the various libraries of Placer County to create "My Favorite Book" sculptures that will be on display at the festival and afterward at various Libraries in Placer County.

Date and Time | Saturday, April 21, 2018 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM PDT

Location | Royer Park, 190 Park Drive, Roseville, CA 95678


Devoting a special day to helping the earth is a way to demonstrate how much we care about the future of our planet. No matter what you like to do best, there's a way to get involved in Earth Day. You could plant a tree, make a meal with locally-grown vegetables, educate a family member, clean up trash in your neighborhood, set up a bird feeder or save power — the possibilities are endless. Remember, you don't have to wait for Earth Day to show your love for the planet we call home. 

For more information visit http://www.placerarts.org/earthday/.
A few years back, our family was photographed at the Earth Day Festival and our photo was used on their social media and a local magazine, we thought that was pretty neat. 
Here are some pictures from previous years of our family at the Celebrate the Earth Festival.  I hope you are able to go out and enjoy all the free family fun!  Saturday, April 21, 2018.

Thank you for reading if you’ve enjoyed the content you’ve read above please share with your friends. www.BlogAboutItAll.com.

 



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Sacramento County Fair Seeks Barnyard Excellence for 2018 Livestock Competitions and Auction


Sacramento, CA—The Sacramento County Fair is on the lookout for the next generation of farmers to exhibit their livestock this Memorial Day Weekend! FFA and 4H members of all classes are invited to enter their livestock in a competitive and fun-filled weekend of competition at Cal Expo. With over 5,000 entrants expected for 2018, it’s never been a better time to get involved!

With 4 days of competition ranging from 4-H novices exhibiting for the first time to FFA Advanced competing for best in show, there’s something for every level and animal exhibitor at the Fair! And don’t miss out on the junior livestock auction on Sunday, May 27th! Over 600 local youth involved in 4-H and FFA will raise and sell livestock and eggs at the at the Cal Expo Livestock Pavilion. In 2017, over $500,000 was generated at the sale thanks to the generosity of our auction buyers.

To sign up to exhibit or find out more visit:
http://www.sacfair.com/competitions-contests.html.  Paper entries must be postmarked or hand-delivered before close of business by Friday, April 13 and online entries must be submitted by close of business Friday, April 20. Don’t miss out!

As an added bonus, Midway of Fun is proud to once again offer a special unlimited ride wristband good for all 5 days of the fair for junior livestock exhibitors for one low price—only $29.50! That’s any ride in the entire midway—any day of the Fair during midway hours! Restrictions apply. Limit one wristband per junior entrant. Visit the Sacramento County Fair website for more details.

For more information on the Fair and a daily schedule visit www.sacfair.com and #ShareTheFair 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SacramentoCountyFair/
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/saccountyfair
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sacfair

About Sacramento County Fair
Over 100,000 guests will enjoy the Sacramento County Fair May 24-28, 2018 at Cal Expo.  Nearly 10,000 school children will enjoy educational school tours.  5,000 local Sacramento residents will compete for awards in the livestock and competitive exhibit programs.  Adult admission is only $6.00 and admission for kids 12-and-under is free every day of the Fair. This year, the Sacramento County Fair will be the biggest and best in it’s over 80-year history. This year’s fair theme is “Let’s Eat, Have Fun & Celebrate the Red, White & Blue.”

Thank you for reading if you've enjoyed the content you've read above please share with your friends. 
www.BlogAboutItAll.com 

Sacramento County Fair | Press Release

Sacramento County Fair Seeks Barnyard Excellence for 2018 Livestock Competitions and Auction


Sacramento, CA—The Sacramento County Fair is on the lookout for the next generation of farmers to exhibit their livestock this Memorial Day Weekend! FFA and 4H members of all classes are invited to enter their livestock in a competitive and fun-filled weekend of competition at Cal Expo. With over 5,000 entrants expected for 2018, it’s never been a better time to get involved!

With 4 days of competition ranging from 4-H novices exhibiting for the first time to FFA Advanced competing for best in show, there’s something for every level and animal exhibitor at the Fair! And don’t miss out on the junior livestock auction on Sunday, May 27th! Over 600 local youth involved in 4-H and FFA will raise and sell livestock and eggs at the at the Cal Expo Livestock Pavilion. In 2017, over $500,000 was generated at the sale thanks to the generosity of our auction buyers.

To sign up to exhibit or find out more visit:
http://www.sacfair.com/competitions-contests.html.  Paper entries must be postmarked or hand-delivered before close of business by Friday, April 13 and online entries must be submitted by close of business Friday, April 20. Don’t miss out!

As an added bonus, Midway of Fun is proud to once again offer a special unlimited ride wristband good for all 5 days of the fair for junior livestock exhibitors for one low price—only $29.50! That’s any ride in the entire midway—any day of the Fair during midway hours! Restrictions apply. Limit one wristband per junior entrant. Visit the Sacramento County Fair website for more details.

For more information on the Fair and a daily schedule visit www.sacfair.com and #ShareTheFair 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SacramentoCountyFair/
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/saccountyfair
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sacfair

About Sacramento County Fair
Over 100,000 guests will enjoy the Sacramento County Fair May 24-28, 2018 at Cal Expo.  Nearly 10,000 school children will enjoy educational school tours.  5,000 local Sacramento residents will compete for awards in the livestock and competitive exhibit programs.  Adult admission is only $6.00 and admission for kids 12-and-under is free every day of the Fair. This year, the Sacramento County Fair will be the biggest and best in it’s over 80-year history. This year’s fair theme is “Let’s Eat, Have Fun & Celebrate the Red, White & Blue.”

Thank you for reading if you've enjoyed the content you've read above please share with your friends. 
www.BlogAboutItAll.com 
Read more »
I attended this event last year and it was so much fun, I won a purse but more importantly, I had a great time connecting with women in our local area that is why I wanted to let my local Sacramento readers know about this fun event. 

 So save the date and reserve your seats for a Spectacular Mother's Day Breakfast and Great Purse Event! Invite your family, co-workers, and friends to join you as we celebrate Mother's this May! 

 Every breakfast ticket includes 3 raffle tickets to win purses from Kate Spade, Dooney and  Bourke, Coach and so many more! Individual Tickets are only $25 and a table for 7 is only $150. You can purchase additional raffle tickets for $5 to increase your chances of winning.

 You can reserve your spots now by clicking here: http://bit.ly/2GdvQq1

 I am getting 2 tables this year and inviting some people I've connected with through blogging and I am so excited.  So many times, we get busy and don't make time to have a meal together, talk and laugh.  We like each other's posts on social media but don't really connect.  I'm grateful for social media, I've connected with many through social media but I love when we can get together in person and catch up, encourage one another, share what's working for us in life, marriage, motherhood, and business.  

 I hope you'll get a group of ladies together and join us at this Mother's Day Breakfast Great Purse Event!  You don't have to be a mother or attend with your mother, it really is a Women's event for all women and who doesn't want to win a new purse.  So call up your friends, get your women's group together or fellow soccer moms and join us!

 Host Location: Family Community Church | 6331 Watt Avenue, North Highlands, CA 95660

 If you need more information or have any questions please feel free to e-mail me at theblogaboutitall@gmail.com I hope to see you there, please come over and say hi.

Here is just a sample of the purses you may win!

Mother's Day Breakfast | Sacramento, CA Event
I attended this event last year and it was so much fun, I won a purse but more importantly, I had a great time connecting with women in our local area that is why I wanted to let my local Sacramento readers know about this fun event. 

 So save the date and reserve your seats for a Spectacular Mother's Day Breakfast and Great Purse Event! Invite your family, co-workers, and friends to join you as we celebrate Mother's this May! 

 Every breakfast ticket includes 3 raffle tickets to win purses from Kate Spade, Dooney and  Bourke, Coach and so many more! Individual Tickets are only $25 and a table for 7 is only $150. You can purchase additional raffle tickets for $5 to increase your chances of winning.

 You can reserve your spots now by clicking here: http://bit.ly/2GdvQq1

 I am getting 2 tables this year and inviting some people I've connected with through blogging and I am so excited.  So many times, we get busy and don't make time to have a meal together, talk and laugh.  We like each other's posts on social media but don't really connect.  I'm grateful for social media, I've connected with many through social media but I love when we can get together in person and catch up, encourage one another, share what's working for us in life, marriage, motherhood, and business.  

 I hope you'll get a group of ladies together and join us at this Mother's Day Breakfast Great Purse Event!  You don't have to be a mother or attend with your mother, it really is a Women's event for all women and who doesn't want to win a new purse.  So call up your friends, get your women's group together or fellow soccer moms and join us!

 Host Location: Family Community Church | 6331 Watt Avenue, North Highlands, CA 95660

 If you need more information or have any questions please feel free to e-mail me at theblogaboutitall@gmail.com I hope to see you there, please come over and say hi.

Here is just a sample of the purses you may win!

Read more »
My husband and I will be leading a Bible Study at our local church and I want to invite you on this journey with us.  You do not have to be a member of our church to attend.  I would love to have parents from our local community join us.

 We are by no means parenting experts, with four young boys we are in the thick of parenting.  We will be reading and discussing this great book together.  Our hope is to learn together and encourage each other as parents.  We will be sharing some of our parenting wins and fails.  This is ONLY an 8-week bible study, Thursday nights 6:30 PM to 8 PM.  We are starting Thursday, April 19th and we would love if you would join us. It will be held in our community room at Family Books & Gifts located at 6349 Watt Avenue, North Highlands, CA 95660.

 The book we will be using is Spiritual Parenting: An Awakening for Today's Families by Michelle Anthony.  It is an excellent read, I highly recommend it.  This is a free community bible study, you only need to purchase the book to follow along.  You can purchase the book in class or on-line. 

 If you have any questions about the bible study you can e-mail me at theblogaboutitall@gmail.com.  Please pre-register so we can plan properly.  
Here is the link to register: https://bit.ly/2GoTa5e

 Spiritual Parenting is about learning to create a home environment that is conducive to shaping the hearts and minds of children. This innovative approach to parenting provides you with an opportunity to cultivate a vibrant faith in your child. Dr. Michelle Anthony encourages parents to rely on God for guidance in their role as parents, offering numerous examples and biblical support.

From Publishers Weekly
Parenting books can be preachy--this one is different. The Ph.D. mom-author’s conversational style is rarely preachy and more narrative than didactic as she describes her “Aha!” moments when she moved from attempting to control her children’s behavior to putting them into environments where they can know God and be changed by Him. This is not a “how to” parenting manual, but a guide for developing as a spiritually minded parent who asks, “Who did God create my child to be?” Attractive to many readers is the author’s mix of competence and vulnerability. Her writing is vivid and revealing.  The book speaks to the journey that all parents must learn to accept: to hear God’s voice and change along with their children.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

About the Author
Dr. Michelle Anthony is the vice president of Curriculum and Family Ministry Architect at David C Cook. She is the author of Dreaming of More for the Next Generation, The Spiritually Formed Family, and The Big God Story. Dr. Anthony has over 25 years of church ministry and leadership experience in children's and family ministries. In her free time, Michelle enjoys being with her husband and two grown children, reading a good book, the beach, and a strong cup of coffee.

Thank you for reading I hope you will join us in growing as parents to be the best we can be in HIM.  We will learn how to create a home environment that God can use to work in your children's lives! It's a biblical, innovative, fresh approach to parenting!  Please share with your friends and family!  

Sacramento Bible Study | Spiritual Parenting

My husband and I will be leading a Bible Study at our local church and I want to invite you on this journey with us.  You do not have to be a member of our church to attend.  I would love to have parents from our local community join us.

 We are by no means parenting experts, with four young boys we are in the thick of parenting.  We will be reading and discussing this great book together.  Our hope is to learn together and encourage each other as parents.  We will be sharing some of our parenting wins and fails.  This is ONLY an 8-week bible study, Thursday nights 6:30 PM to 8 PM.  We are starting Thursday, April 19th and we would love if you would join us. It will be held in our community room at Family Books & Gifts located at 6349 Watt Avenue, North Highlands, CA 95660.

 The book we will be using is Spiritual Parenting: An Awakening for Today's Families by Michelle Anthony.  It is an excellent read, I highly recommend it.  This is a free community bible study, you only need to purchase the book to follow along.  You can purchase the book in class or on-line. 

 If you have any questions about the bible study you can e-mail me at theblogaboutitall@gmail.com.  Please pre-register so we can plan properly.  
Here is the link to register: https://bit.ly/2GoTa5e

 Spiritual Parenting is about learning to create a home environment that is conducive to shaping the hearts and minds of children. This innovative approach to parenting provides you with an opportunity to cultivate a vibrant faith in your child. Dr. Michelle Anthony encourages parents to rely on God for guidance in their role as parents, offering numerous examples and biblical support.

From Publishers Weekly
Parenting books can be preachy--this one is different. The Ph.D. mom-author’s conversational style is rarely preachy and more narrative than didactic as she describes her “Aha!” moments when she moved from attempting to control her children’s behavior to putting them into environments where they can know God and be changed by Him. This is not a “how to” parenting manual, but a guide for developing as a spiritually minded parent who asks, “Who did God create my child to be?” Attractive to many readers is the author’s mix of competence and vulnerability. Her writing is vivid and revealing.  The book speaks to the journey that all parents must learn to accept: to hear God’s voice and change along with their children.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

About the Author
Dr. Michelle Anthony is the vice president of Curriculum and Family Ministry Architect at David C Cook. She is the author of Dreaming of More for the Next Generation, The Spiritually Formed Family, and The Big God Story. Dr. Anthony has over 25 years of church ministry and leadership experience in children's and family ministries. In her free time, Michelle enjoys being with her husband and two grown children, reading a good book, the beach, and a strong cup of coffee.

Thank you for reading I hope you will join us in growing as parents to be the best we can be in HIM.  We will learn how to create a home environment that God can use to work in your children's lives! It's a biblical, innovative, fresh approach to parenting!  Please share with your friends and family!  

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Bring the kiddos out to Raley Field for a FREE day of fun! Play games on the field and in the stadium. Mommy & Me will be held on Wednesday, April 18 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Pre-register on-line! https://atmilb.com/2EQwLwP

 I have taken my boys to this event since my oldest who is now 10 was 2 years old, this is a fun event.  Each year it is a little different.  Dinger usually makes an appearance, one-year Radio Disney was out there, most years they give away free snack size items for the kids like juice boxes and individual packs of cookies (it varies).  The nice thing is you can go out on the field, bring a sack lunch, a blanket, and a ball to toss around and enjoy the sunshine and beautiful Raley Field.  They usually have a bounce house and a few toys out on the field to play with.  There are a lot of kids who attend so I highly recommend bringing your own ball or purchase one from the gift shop.  We purchased a bat and ball last year and it was well worth it.  

Mommy & Me: 

When the Cats are away, the kids will play!


 The Sacramento River Cats will host their annual Mommy & Me Day (weather permitting) at Raley Field. Following the success of previous Mommy & Me Days, this non-ticketed, free event is open to children ages 6-and-under and their parents. There will be no baseball game on this date.
Children will enjoy a variety of activities on the outfield of Raley Field including bounce houses, catch on the field, arts and crafts and much more! Additional items will include:
  • Free Parking (it's strongly advised that strollers should be left in the car as there will be no stroller access on the field)
  • Variety of vendors from the community
  • Special appearance by Dinger, the official mascot of the River Cats
 Mommy & Me Details:
When: 2 DATES!!!
  • Wednesday, April 18 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
  • Tuesday, June 12 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
*Registration begins on site at 8:30 a.m.
Where: Raley Field, 400 Ballpark Drive. West Sacramento, CA 95691
Fill the pre-registration form HERE by emailing communitytrainee@RIVERCATS.com OR printing and bringing to the event day of! Registration will also be available on-site the day of. 
I met a friend and her boys out there last year and here are a few pictures of our fun!





Thank you for reading if you've enjoyed the content you've read above please share with your friends. www.BlogAboutItAll.com 

Mommy & Me at Raley Field | Sacramento Rivercats Fan Zone

Bring the kiddos out to Raley Field for a FREE day of fun! Play games on the field and in the stadium. Mommy & Me will be held on Wednesday, April 18 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Pre-register on-line! https://atmilb.com/2EQwLwP

 I have taken my boys to this event since my oldest who is now 10 was 2 years old, this is a fun event.  Each year it is a little different.  Dinger usually makes an appearance, one-year Radio Disney was out there, most years they give away free snack size items for the kids like juice boxes and individual packs of cookies (it varies).  The nice thing is you can go out on the field, bring a sack lunch, a blanket, and a ball to toss around and enjoy the sunshine and beautiful Raley Field.  They usually have a bounce house and a few toys out on the field to play with.  There are a lot of kids who attend so I highly recommend bringing your own ball or purchase one from the gift shop.  We purchased a bat and ball last year and it was well worth it.  

Mommy & Me: 

When the Cats are away, the kids will play!


 The Sacramento River Cats will host their annual Mommy & Me Day (weather permitting) at Raley Field. Following the success of previous Mommy & Me Days, this non-ticketed, free event is open to children ages 6-and-under and their parents. There will be no baseball game on this date.
Children will enjoy a variety of activities on the outfield of Raley Field including bounce houses, catch on the field, arts and crafts and much more! Additional items will include:
  • Free Parking (it's strongly advised that strollers should be left in the car as there will be no stroller access on the field)
  • Variety of vendors from the community
  • Special appearance by Dinger, the official mascot of the River Cats
 Mommy & Me Details:
When: 2 DATES!!!
  • Wednesday, April 18 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
  • Tuesday, June 12 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
*Registration begins on site at 8:30 a.m.
Where: Raley Field, 400 Ballpark Drive. West Sacramento, CA 95691
Fill the pre-registration form HERE by emailing communitytrainee@RIVERCATS.com OR printing and bringing to the event day of! Registration will also be available on-site the day of. 
I met a friend and her boys out there last year and here are a few pictures of our fun!





Thank you for reading if you've enjoyed the content you've read above please share with your friends. www.BlogAboutItAll.com 
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I love the Avocado Egg Rolls at The Cheesecake Factory and after making pork egg rolls and crab cream cheese wonton's with my boys it made me crave avocado egg rolls.  I decided I had to make them, and I am so glad I did.  It was super easy and so delicious.  Why spend $12 plus tax and tip, when you can buy avocados many times 2 for $1 and I already had everything else on hand.  
Avocado Egg Roll Recipe
Ingredients:
3 large avocados
1 teaspoon grated ginger
1 cloves of garlic minced
¼ red onion diced
sprinkle of garlic salt
juice of 1/2 of a lime
a handful of cilantro (I love cilantro, add to your taste)
1 tablespoon of The Ginger People Spicy Ginger Teriyaki Sauce
Egg Roll Wrappers (I used Twin Dragon a pack of 20)
Water

Directions:
1. Dice two avocados, so you have chunks, mash the other avocado.
2. Gently mix avocados with ginger, minced garlic, diced onion, juice of 1/2 a lime and Spicy Ginger Teriyaki Sauce.
3. Add chopped cilantro and sprinkle of garlic salt.
4. To assemble lay egg roll wrapper so it looks like a diamond, on one corner add about 2 tablespoons of prepared filling, roll like a burrito tightly then fold over left and right sides and continue to roll, dampen edges with water to seal. 
6. Deep fry until golden brown and drain on paper towels.
Of course, I had to use my favorite dipping sauce The Ginger People Sweet Ginger Chili Sauce.


Check out my Easy Egg Roll and Crab Cream Cheese Wonton Recipes here: https://bit.ly/2Got2Do

You can find these Ginger People sauces and other Ginger People products at Raley's and Sprouts.  Read more about The Ginger People products and find more recipes here: https://gingerpeople.com/

Read about the health benefits of ginger here: https://gingerpeople.com/health/

Product Details: 
Spicy Ginger Teriyaki Sauce uses traditional flavors of teriyaki kicked up with bold ginger heat. This yummy marinade and simmer sauce is perfect for stir-fry or used as a glaze or to grill. Soak beef, chicken pork or fish to add a good taste that all will savor. Heat and reduce to intensify the flavor.

Sweet Ginger Chili sauce combines the flavors of sweet red peppers with the heat of ginger and chilies. A versatile blend of sweet and heat, this sauce “presents” beautifully as a dipping sauce for spring rolls, pot stickers, and veggie cakes. Simple, yet sublime.
The Ginger People sauces contain more ginger than any other brand and are made in the USA. 

Thank you for reading if you've enjoyed the content you've read above please share with your friends. www.BlogAboutItAll.com 

Easy Avocado Egg Roll Recipe
I love the Avocado Egg Rolls at The Cheesecake Factory and after making pork egg rolls and crab cream cheese wonton's with my boys it made me crave avocado egg rolls.  I decided I had to make them, and I am so glad I did.  It was super easy and so delicious.  Why spend $12 plus tax and tip, when you can buy avocados many times 2 for $1 and I already had everything else on hand.  
Avocado Egg Roll Recipe
Ingredients:
3 large avocados
1 teaspoon grated ginger
1 cloves of garlic minced
¼ red onion diced
sprinkle of garlic salt
juice of 1/2 of a lime
a handful of cilantro (I love cilantro, add to your taste)
1 tablespoon of The Ginger People Spicy Ginger Teriyaki Sauce
Egg Roll Wrappers (I used Twin Dragon a pack of 20)
Water

Directions:
1. Dice two avocados, so you have chunks, mash the other avocado.
2. Gently mix avocados with ginger, minced garlic, diced onion, juice of 1/2 a lime and Spicy Ginger Teriyaki Sauce.
3. Add chopped cilantro and sprinkle of garlic salt.
4. To assemble lay egg roll wrapper so it looks like a diamond, on one corner add about 2 tablespoons of prepared filling, roll like a burrito tightly then fold over left and right sides and continue to roll, dampen edges with water to seal. 
6. Deep fry until golden brown and drain on paper towels.
Of course, I had to use my favorite dipping sauce The Ginger People Sweet Ginger Chili Sauce.


Check out my Easy Egg Roll and Crab Cream Cheese Wonton Recipes here: https://bit.ly/2Got2Do

You can find these Ginger People sauces and other Ginger People products at Raley's and Sprouts.  Read more about The Ginger People products and find more recipes here: https://gingerpeople.com/

Read about the health benefits of ginger here: https://gingerpeople.com/health/

Product Details: 
Spicy Ginger Teriyaki Sauce uses traditional flavors of teriyaki kicked up with bold ginger heat. This yummy marinade and simmer sauce is perfect for stir-fry or used as a glaze or to grill. Soak beef, chicken pork or fish to add a good taste that all will savor. Heat and reduce to intensify the flavor.

Sweet Ginger Chili sauce combines the flavors of sweet red peppers with the heat of ginger and chilies. A versatile blend of sweet and heat, this sauce “presents” beautifully as a dipping sauce for spring rolls, pot stickers, and veggie cakes. Simple, yet sublime.
The Ginger People sauces contain more ginger than any other brand and are made in the USA. 

Thank you for reading if you've enjoyed the content you've read above please share with your friends. www.BlogAboutItAll.com 
Read more »
Going out to eat can add up quickly, I love take-out food, but I have learned that eating at home is definitely more cost-effective, that’s true if you are a single person or a large family.  It is nice to go out as a family and not have to clean-up.  It's nice to go out on Date Night, but it is just as fun to cook at home for date night.  It is fun to get the kids involved in the kitchen and cook together as a family.  My oldest son has been taking cooking classes through his homeschool program and that has spurred us on to do a lot more cooking at home together.  This easy Egg Roll and Crab Cream Cheese Wonton recipe is a great one to make as a family, easy to make and it does not require a lot of ingredients.

I made these Easy Egg Rolls and Crab Cream Cheese Wontons with my boys for dinner the other night.  The boys had so much fun helping in the kitchen and I must say myself, dinner turned out amazing. We used ground pork for our egg rolls, but you could use ground chicken as well.

We used this amazing sauce from The Ginger People in both the recipe and for a dipping sauce, they are both so delicious.  After tasting their Sweet Ginger Chili Sauce I want to put it on everything.  The Spicy Ginger Teriyaki Sauce is great on chicken skewers with bell peppers and red onions too.  If you are looking for things to add to your menu rotation these are great ones to add. 

This recipe made 20 egg rolls, talk about budget-friendly, when you go to a restaurant you can easily spend $12.50 for about 3 egg rolls (I’m thinking of the Cheesecake Factory’s Avocado Eggrolls), there’s 6 on the plate, but it’s 3 egg rolls cut in half am I right.

This egg roll recipe cost me about $10 to make, I fed my family of 6, invited my mom and sister over, and we had enough leftovers for my hubby and I for lunch the next day.

Easy Egg Roll Recipe
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons of vegetable oil
1 pound ground pork
2 tablespoons grated ginger
3 cloves of garlic minced
¼ onion diced
3 cups of packaged Coleslaw Mix
2 Cups of Shredded Carrots
2 tablespoons of The Ginger People Spicy Ginger Teriyaki Sauce
Egg Roll Wrappers (I used Twin Dragon a pack of 20)
Water

Directions:
1. Sauté grated ginger, minced garlic and diced onion in vegetable oil until tender.
2. Add pork and sauté until brown.
3. Add Coleslaw blend and shredded carrots. 
4. Add 2 tablespoons of The Ginger People Spicy Ginger Teriyaki Sauce and stir for about 5 minutes.
5. To assemble lay egg roll wrapper so it looks like a diamond, on one corner add about 2 tablespoons of prepared filling, roll like a burrito tightly then fold over left and right sides and continue to roll, dampen edges with water to seal. 
6. Deep fry until golden brown and drain on paper towels.

These are heavenly with The Ginger People Sweet Ginger Chili Sauce for dipping.





Crab Cream Cheese Wontons
Ingredients:
Wonton Wrappers (I used Twin Dragon Brand)
8-ounce block of cream cheese
3-ounces imitation crab meat
1 tablespoon of The Ginger People Spicy Ginger Teriyaki Sauce
Green Onions
Water

Directions:
1. Soften the cream cheese.
2. Chop the crab meat and some green onion.
3. In a bowl mix the cream cheese, chopped crab meat, chopped green onion and The Ginger People Spicy Ginger Teriyaki Sauce.  
Tip: do not chop the crab meat too fine.  I made these twice in the same week and the batch that had bigger chunks of crab were preferred by my taste testers. 
4. Assemble

You can assemble these a few different ways we tried two ways.  Our first batch we placed a tablespoon of the mixture in the center and brought all four corners of the wonton wrapper to the top, sealed with water on all the edges.   This style didn’t hold its shape as well and I didn't feel the entire wonton cooked through, see the first picture below.  The second batch we made we shaped more like a triangle, we laid the wonton wrapper shaped like a diamond, placed a tablespoon of the mixture in the center, but then folded the wonton wrapper in half and sealed the edges. I like the way these turned out much better (pictured below bottom two pictures). 

For Dipping Sauce we used The Ginger People Sweet Ginger Chili Sauce, I couldn’t stop eating these, they are so yummy.


You can find these Ginger People sauces and other Ginger People products at Raley's and Sprouts.  Read more about The Ginger People products and find more recipes here: https://gingerpeople.com/

Read about the health benefits of ginger here: https://gingerpeople.com/health/

Product Details: 
Spicy Ginger Teriyaki Sauce uses traditional flavors of teriyaki kicked up with bold ginger heat. This yummy marinade and simmer sauce is perfect for stir-fry or used as a glaze or to grill. Soak beef, chicken pork or fish to add a good taste that all will savor. Heat and reduce to intensify the flavor.

Sweet Ginger Chili sauce combines the flavors of sweet red peppers with the heat of ginger and chilies. A versatile blend of sweet and heat, this sauce “presents” beautifully as a dipping sauce for spring rolls, pot stickers, and veggie cakes. Simple, yet sublime.
The Ginger People sauces contain more ginger than any other brand and are made in the USA. 

Thank you for reading if you've enjoyed the content you've read above please share with your friends. www.BlogAboutItAll.com 

Take Out at Home | Easy Egg Roll and Crab Cream Cheese Wonton Recipe
Going out to eat can add up quickly, I love take-out food, but I have learned that eating at home is definitely more cost-effective, that’s true if you are a single person or a large family.  It is nice to go out as a family and not have to clean-up.  It's nice to go out on Date Night, but it is just as fun to cook at home for date night.  It is fun to get the kids involved in the kitchen and cook together as a family.  My oldest son has been taking cooking classes through his homeschool program and that has spurred us on to do a lot more cooking at home together.  This easy Egg Roll and Crab Cream Cheese Wonton recipe is a great one to make as a family, easy to make and it does not require a lot of ingredients.

I made these Easy Egg Rolls and Crab Cream Cheese Wontons with my boys for dinner the other night.  The boys had so much fun helping in the kitchen and I must say myself, dinner turned out amazing. We used ground pork for our egg rolls, but you could use ground chicken as well.

We used this amazing sauce from The Ginger People in both the recipe and for a dipping sauce, they are both so delicious.  After tasting their Sweet Ginger Chili Sauce I want to put it on everything.  The Spicy Ginger Teriyaki Sauce is great on chicken skewers with bell peppers and red onions too.  If you are looking for things to add to your menu rotation these are great ones to add. 

This recipe made 20 egg rolls, talk about budget-friendly, when you go to a restaurant you can easily spend $12.50 for about 3 egg rolls (I’m thinking of the Cheesecake Factory’s Avocado Eggrolls), there’s 6 on the plate, but it’s 3 egg rolls cut in half am I right.

This egg roll recipe cost me about $10 to make, I fed my family of 6, invited my mom and sister over, and we had enough leftovers for my hubby and I for lunch the next day.

Easy Egg Roll Recipe
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons of vegetable oil
1 pound ground pork
2 tablespoons grated ginger
3 cloves of garlic minced
¼ onion diced
3 cups of packaged Coleslaw Mix
2 Cups of Shredded Carrots
2 tablespoons of The Ginger People Spicy Ginger Teriyaki Sauce
Egg Roll Wrappers (I used Twin Dragon a pack of 20)
Water

Directions:
1. Sauté grated ginger, minced garlic and diced onion in vegetable oil until tender.
2. Add pork and sauté until brown.
3. Add Coleslaw blend and shredded carrots. 
4. Add 2 tablespoons of The Ginger People Spicy Ginger Teriyaki Sauce and stir for about 5 minutes.
5. To assemble lay egg roll wrapper so it looks like a diamond, on one corner add about 2 tablespoons of prepared filling, roll like a burrito tightly then fold over left and right sides and continue to roll, dampen edges with water to seal. 
6. Deep fry until golden brown and drain on paper towels.

These are heavenly with The Ginger People Sweet Ginger Chili Sauce for dipping.





Crab Cream Cheese Wontons
Ingredients:
Wonton Wrappers (I used Twin Dragon Brand)
8-ounce block of cream cheese
3-ounces imitation crab meat
1 tablespoon of The Ginger People Spicy Ginger Teriyaki Sauce
Green Onions
Water

Directions:
1. Soften the cream cheese.
2. Chop the crab meat and some green onion.
3. In a bowl mix the cream cheese, chopped crab meat, chopped green onion and The Ginger People Spicy Ginger Teriyaki Sauce.  
Tip: do not chop the crab meat too fine.  I made these twice in the same week and the batch that had bigger chunks of crab were preferred by my taste testers. 
4. Assemble

You can assemble these a few different ways we tried two ways.  Our first batch we placed a tablespoon of the mixture in the center and brought all four corners of the wonton wrapper to the top, sealed with water on all the edges.   This style didn’t hold its shape as well and I didn't feel the entire wonton cooked through, see the first picture below.  The second batch we made we shaped more like a triangle, we laid the wonton wrapper shaped like a diamond, placed a tablespoon of the mixture in the center, but then folded the wonton wrapper in half and sealed the edges. I like the way these turned out much better (pictured below bottom two pictures). 

For Dipping Sauce we used The Ginger People Sweet Ginger Chili Sauce, I couldn’t stop eating these, they are so yummy.


You can find these Ginger People sauces and other Ginger People products at Raley's and Sprouts.  Read more about The Ginger People products and find more recipes here: https://gingerpeople.com/

Read about the health benefits of ginger here: https://gingerpeople.com/health/

Product Details: 
Spicy Ginger Teriyaki Sauce uses traditional flavors of teriyaki kicked up with bold ginger heat. This yummy marinade and simmer sauce is perfect for stir-fry or used as a glaze or to grill. Soak beef, chicken pork or fish to add a good taste that all will savor. Heat and reduce to intensify the flavor.

Sweet Ginger Chili sauce combines the flavors of sweet red peppers with the heat of ginger and chilies. A versatile blend of sweet and heat, this sauce “presents” beautifully as a dipping sauce for spring rolls, pot stickers, and veggie cakes. Simple, yet sublime.
The Ginger People sauces contain more ginger than any other brand and are made in the USA. 

Thank you for reading if you've enjoyed the content you've read above please share with your friends. www.BlogAboutItAll.com 
Read more »