Hosting a Pink Party

 

Last year for my birthday I made myself a Barbie doll cake. The Barbie Movie was all the rage last summer and what can I say, I'm a Barbie girl. This year we ordered a cake from a family run bakery that I frequent. But I wanted to do something for me. This summer has been all about Hazel. Our vacation to the Cape included her friends. Then she decided to apply to an arts school for theater. After several weeks of doing the application, then interview and audition, she got in. July was a busy month with a lot of focus on Hazel. Now we are in the process of figuring out financing and gathering everything she will need for dorm life. I'm sending my baby away, but I know she is ready and so am I. Therefore, I wanted to do something for me around my birthday and I haven't had much time with friends, so I thought a girls' night at home was perfect. Since pink is my favorite color, I decided to do a pink themed party. I went to Greetings Island and made an invitation. (I shared about Greetings Island here.) I downloaded the invitation and texted it to my friends. I used the Inside Flower template, and it is a free one!!

All About Simone Biles -- Chapter Book Review

 

Disclosure: I was sent a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

This summer has been an interesting one for me. I have tried to focus on myself since self-care is my "word" for 2024. However, as life always does there have been twists and turns. In the beginning of July Hazel decided she did want to apply to an arts school where she would be boarding. It is a major life change and also means Steve and I have to figure out the financial side of it. As we went through this process, I noticed Hazel had two modes. She either wanted to be left alone to work or think or she wanted to watch television with me. She got into the boarding school and will be leaving home the end of August. I'm excited for the chance for her as well as the change as my family enters the next stage on our journey. One thing she did want to watch was the women's gymnastics in the Olympics. She loves all of the women on the United States team. The Olympics also was an uplifting experience this summer. Whether it was seeing Snoop Dogg at the various events with his supportive t-shirts and outfits or watching the athletes supporting one another. It was the change I know I needed in our world. There was a sense of togetherness, support and patriotism. I felt like it brought our torn country back together at least a bit. While I shared a round-up of books about and by former Olympics gold medalists a couple of weeks ago I wanted to share one about a current one. Simone Biles seemed like the perfect choice. So today I get to share with you All About Simone Biles by Color Craft. This book is recommended for ages 8 to 16. It is definitely written for the younger side of the range. You can also purchase at Amazon.

Swinging Into History -- Review of Picture Book About Toni Stone

 

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

The Summer Olympics are still going on this week, so my focus is on sports! Today I get to share a new picture book (released this week) about Toni Stone. She was the first female to play big-league baseball! The book is Swinging into History by Karen L. Swanson and illustrated by Laura Freeman. It is recommended for ages 7 to 10.

Books About or By Female US Gold Medal Olympians

 

Disclosure: I was sent copies of these books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Have you been watching the Olympics? Hazel and I have been watching the Women's Gymnastics. We are loving seeing these beautiful women make their dreams come true. What is your favorite sport to watch? I always feel like the Olympics brings positivity to the world. It gives us a sense of pride and love for our country, and I am guessing it does for other people around the world. It is a piece of history that is made every four years but doesn't often make it into the history books. However, did you know there are books written by former Gold Medal Olympians and even some about amazing Olympians and teams? Today I am going to share three such books. The ages of recommendations for these books range from 4 to 14. Only one of the books is really a history book about the gold medal Olympian team and the other two are books written by them sharing a piece of their advice off the field. The first book is From My Head to My Toes by Aly Raisman and illustrated by Bea Jackson. It is recommended for ages 4 to 8. 

Camp Hillside Series -- Middle Grades Novel Series About Going to Summer Camp

 

Disclosure: I was sent copies of these books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Do your kids go to summer camp? How long do they go for? Summer camp is like a rite of passage. Although Hazel never went to overnight camp, she is now ready to go to boarding school. It has been an exciting July in our house. But back to summer camp. Kids often feel homesick but once they relax, they make new friends and have exciting adventures. Today I get to share a middle grades series with you about a girl's adventure at summer camp for the first and second time. The books are from the Camp Hillside Series by Steph Katzovi. There are two books in the series (so far): Hurricamp! and Miscommunicamp!. They are recommended for ages 7 to 12.