Archive for April 29th, 2009

11 months old and Melody has been growing up so much!

Just this week to celebrate her turning 11 months old, we went up to the The Wooden Shoe Tulip farm and she just loved it! She enjoyed walking about in the rows, sliding down the bumpy slide with daddy, and posing for mommy and grandma! I think the most fun photos we got of her is when we decided to put her into the giant wooden clogs! We had a few bystanders take photos of her… Paparazzi already!

As the days grow closer to her first birthday, I’ll be busy working on birth to 1 year scrapbook. It brings a tear to my eye to see how fast she has really grown up already. She’s so brave and independent. I’ll miss those days when she was tiny and we would stare at each other face to face for hours. But in all things each day ahead brings new joys. Nothing compares to being a mom and a teacher. I feel like if I blink I’ll miss something or wake up and she’ll be 5!

Time does pass ever so quickly so enjoy the little time you have with your children. I know I will be.

Psalm 127:3 – Children are a gift of the LORD

I recently was given the opportunity to review many of the products associated with Nana Star an award winning series of children books.  These books were written by two sisters, Elizabeth and Elena Sills  and the books were illustrated by their mother Linda Saker. I love when families works together in bringing together something that promotes positive virtues and character-building points and traits that are important for children.

The first book book, “Nana Star” tells the story of Nana Star whom is a little girl venturing out to bring a lost baby star back home.  I find the stories simple enough for young children to understand on their own but challenging enough as well to bring questions to the table.

The second book ” Nana Star and the Moon man” is the next in the series.  It picks up where the last book left off.  Nana is trying to get the little star back home but finds herself lost in the dark and this where the moon man comes in.  He encourages her to know he is there to guide and watch her along the way even if she can’t see him.

Each of the books comes with a companion CD witch features sing along songs along with the full story so your kids can listen anytime they want. The  stories that they’ve brought to life are quite simple keeping them geared toward 3-7 year olds.

I wanted to also mention that each book, includes a mistake in the text for young readers to find. When children send Nana Star a note correcting the mistake, they become special members of her Little Twinkles Club. Each member receives an autographed photo of the real Nana Star with a personalized message, as well as a certificate of membership.

I love the plush toys that came along with my books as they are incredibly lovable and hugable.  My daughter loves dragging the Moon man toy around the house with her throughout the day and she dances when I push the star on his stomach and music begins to play. It’s too cute.  The Nana Star rag doll is a wonderful companion for young girls. She’s pose able and soft so she can even become a sleeping companion for your child or even the next guest at her tea parties.

I’m all for companies that give back to the community and Nana Star does just that by giving  a portion of all book and merchandise sales directly to the Nana Star Foundation, which is dedicated to raising funds for terminally ill children and raising awareness of the crippling problems facing children that attend under-resourced, inner-city schools. The Nana Star books are distributed to hospitals and inner-city schools throughout the United States.

Nana Star products can be purchased from NanaStar.com and the books can also be found on Amazon.
Win it!

One of  my  readers will be able to win a Nana Star Book and the Nana Star Doll!

1. Leave a comment below and let me know who this woulds be for if you won! (if this is not followed, no entry will count)

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Giveaway – running till 05/22/09 and is open to the USA only. Winners will be notified shortly afterward by email. Please respond within 48 hours or you forfeit your prize to another participant