Saturday, September 26, 2015

"The Argument Free Marriage." Is it Possible? Life Lessons? {Book Review} {GIVEAWAY}

~~ Giveaway at the bottom of the post!! Enter! ~~

This book, if you are open to it, can change you and your life.
Why? It is modern, it is well written, it is real and it challenges the status quo in all the best ways. There are many things this book is and isn't.  The title of the book in my opinion, is good but should say relationship, not marriage because it can be broadly applied. Don't stop. Keep reading...

~ Is it possible to have an argument free marriage?
~  Can you have an argue less marriage?
~ Is it possible to take a lessons from a book and apply them to a marriage that is either ridden by argument or has had toxicity of some sort in it?
~ What other life lessons can be come through for yourself?


I will be honest, when picking this book to review, was not sure what it would turn out to be.  It was not made so I can promote Fawn-- in fact, I did not know of her. It was not made because I felt, hey, we can use some tips to better our rough marriage. It was not because I wanted to see the principles of how to apply everyday to everyone. It was not because "we" sat down and decided, "hey, let's go on a month long journey to better it." This was a book I choose... for me. In some ways to experiment. Also, one of those little voices in my head saying, "try this, it's the one." Whatever that meant. And...

Maybe...

...just maybe, this principle Fawn puts forward is not just one for marriage, but for principles of life. Not that you would treat everyone the same as you would your spouse or special other but that you give basic selflessness to a certain degree to each person. You give each person a basic respect. I think this book is amazing in addressing that. Especially from the perspective of a married person.


I am not actually sure it is 100% possible to have an argument free marriage because it takes two to tango- I think this precedent has to be set early on in a relationship and it is possible to mostly the way there- although maybe my view is skewed by my own experience and I would be willing to strive for it.

Also, in the book, she mentions when having her in laws staying and she was fumed about sweets being in the house, she walked off for 6 hours! 6 hours! I am glad she had the time and space to do that but not everyone does. Also, that would be what I call the silent treatment in a way and is part of arguing, sort of, and sometimes, I would argue, harder to deal with.

I do think it is possible to have an argue less marriage and the principles she puts forth are great!
No matter where you are in your marriage, I do think it is possible. Even marriages that are struggling to survive. Not because those two people are two totally different people. And like most marriages, have arguments, but just as Fawn mentions in her book and eludes to, is to something much deeper. "The Original Emotion."

 Exploring the book by Fawn Weaver, "The Argument-Free Marriage" tries to give you the tools to do so. I love in her book, she gives you, the reader, the option of which way you choose. Argument-free or argue-less. It really is a personal choice for yourself, and as partnership choice with your significant other. The outcome is only good as you put in. It may never be argument-free but with good conscious effort, it can be argue-less.

Also, 28 days is only the start! I feel that if some of these habits are so deep seeded within a person or couple, it will take more than just 28 days to really curb them.

Who should read this:
~ Anyone in a relationship with anyone--
(I do think that this also a book that can help you more in life than just in marriage).
~ Anyone married
~ Anyone BEFORE they get married

I leave you this beautiful quote by Fawn that rings truth within it.

"Your marriage should never drain you but replenish you after the world has taken so much." 

You can buy her book on Amazon and read or like my review here.

You can find out more about her book or get Fawn's Book by going to http://www.argumentfreemarriage.com/

Watch her TED talk here about having an argument-free marriage.



You can check out the "Happy Wives Club" here

Image result for happy wives club

* I was given the book to review in exchange for my HONEST opinion of the book. While I received the book for free, my review does not get swayed either way by that. 
a Rafflecopter giveaway


Is it possible to have "The Argument Free Marriage"? Happy Wives Club 's Fawn Weaver writes a book about how to strive...
Posted by Via Bella on Saturday, September 26, 2015

No comments:

Thursday, September 24, 2015

What Pope Francis Coming to DC Taught Us

So I wrote about How to Turn the Pope Coming to America into a Homeschool Lesson-- No Matter Your Faith, right?

What did Pope Francis teach us by coming here? So much. He did not have to lobby to get his voice heard. He did not raise his voice, slander someone who did not like him. He loved them. He prayed for them. No matter your faith, there is NO denying, he left DC better than how he came to it.

He spoke gently, kindly but firmly and strongly...of love, acceptance, and peace. What is better than that?

Well it makes for a great homeschooling lesson. This lesson was not about what the kids believe religiously, and I am not a person to push religion on my kids-- they deserve to find that on their own. We can help guide them, but it is ultimately up to them what they believe in. In fact, one of my kids is saying they don't believe in God and the message the Pope gave was so much grander than that- and that child took something away from it!

This was about something that transcends religion-- the real reason Pope Francis was here. He really truly is the Pope of the People. He cares. He is not just about what he believes but he is about what is right. Acceptance. Love. Peace. Harmony.

Well, did I also tell you that Washington D.C. is one of the BEST places in the world to homeschool, in my opinion? Why?


Let us start with one reason why I don't put my kids in the brick and mortar schools here. Yes, the school systems here are not well known for being good-- in fact, they are known for the opposite. Our local school, what we call here "neighbourhood school" gets a 3/10 score for testing and aptitude. Not very good. They are changing it but overnight just does not happen. The D.C. Lottery for schools is great in theory but if you have more than one or two kids, can make things quite difficult. The DC Lottery is where you select the schools you want your kids to go to, in and out of your neighbourhood school. And you have to do applications for each child-- it is not done as a family. Therefore, the chance of your children ending up all in different schools happens more than you know. And I am not wasting my entire day getting kids dropped off (all at the same time) and picked up (all at the same time).

My reason for Washington DC being one of the best places to homeschool is that there are SO many events, rallies, educational opportunities here that do not exist in other parts of the country.
We have done MLK 50th Anniversary, next month there will be the 20th Anniversary of the Million Man March.  And yesterday and today, the Pope was here!

Yesterday, I was honestly bummed for not going downtown and waiting to see the parade. In retrospect, I am glad I stayed home, having the kids watch him leave the Vatican Embassy here in DC, then go to the White House, then do the parade, then do the Cannonization of Juniper Serra, which is very controversial, plus the mass in Spanish. It was beautiful and awesome.


They watched and also took notes on it.

Today, we went downtown while he was at Congress speaking (if you want to be there in person, you have to miss other things), and went down to the National Mall. Our bus got re-routed and had to take two instead of one to the Mall. Then when we got there, the security was tight-- not tight as in awesome, but tight as in the wall was doubled and really far away.

We missed the first part of the Action on Climate Rally, which was a bummer because Sean Paul and Natasha Bedingfield were there and I wanted to see them both! That is what I get for a kid who did not sleep well last night.


So we went down, listened to the finishing of the Pope's speech to the Congress (both sides). And then he came out to speak to the crowd. We watched it on Jumbo-tron on the Mall itself, but it was still SUPER worth it.  Dude, history was made! That is the only time a pope has spoken to Congress (and hopefully he inspired, I mean knocked sense into, the Congress).

He prayed and blessed all the children and their families. He was so genuine and all smiles. This is a pope that you can feel how amazing his energy is because I could feel it at home yesterday. Today was no different. He left DC better than it was when he came! That is for sure!


After he left, we met up with a friend of mine, Hannah, who is amazing by the way, and if you need a doula, let me know- I will get you in touch. They handed out baby trees and posters that you can plant and had wildflower seeds in them. I literally told them if they had leftovers that I would take them and give them out to my scouts. I was not going to let them throw them away-- it would defeat the purpose.

Then we sat on the lawn and listened to the finishing concert-- made our peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, drank water and of course had a good time in the fall breeze. My little one danced to the amusement of people who were either picnicking nearby or walking by. Some laughed, some got the biggest smile and some just walked past. Nothing like dancing to warm the spirit.

We came back home, they sat down and wrote down 15 facts we came up with together on what they learned from just today. How they felt. Who the pope was. And then they drew about their experience. By the time we were down, there were two full pages. After we watch the Congress-address by the Pope tomorrow, it may be more.


We are not religious at all but this was an amazing experience that had much to teach us!
How amazing to translate what is going on today to history! Also, to witness history.
I am so glad they and a few of my girl scouts got to experience history in some way with the Pope.

DC is again, one of the best places to homeschool!
How would you get an education like this in a brick and mortar school?
Can't wait to talk about it in the Girl Scout Homeschool Co Op I head tomorrow.

Thank you Pope Francisco for being "The People's Pope" for gracing DC with your awesomeness and shining light of love on us. We are better for it!


No comments:

Tuesday, September 22, 2015

How to Turn the Pope Coming to America into a Homeschool Lesson- No Matter Your Faith!

NO MATTER what your faith is- there is history to be taught to the kiddos.
I know! I am not religious and I will be dedicating tomorrow to learning about the pope-- when in Rome, right? (Well, DC, technically. Rome came to us). 

 ~> What Pope Francis Coming to D.C. Taught Us

 I know, Yom Kippur for the Jewish Religion is this week too.
I know, some people think that Pope Francis is the anti-christ.
As NBC Nightly News says, it is not just religious or spiritual visit, it is political and historic.

Anyway you spin it, HISTORY IS LIVING!
And there is a place and a time to be part of history- to learn about it.
Something I have loved about homeschooling is being able to live the history that comes through the city! This is in my opinion, one of the best cities to homeschool in!

There will not be another time, looking back in history, that the pope will come to America in our children's childhood-lifetime. Therefore, it does service good to honour that and teach them! Live no regret and do this!


How your turn the pope coming to America into a homeschool lesson no matter your faith belief. 
~~ GO! SEE! THE POPE! {See the schedule below}
~~ If you can't go down, watch it live on tv or webcast!!  {See the links below}
~~ Get a Field Trip Journal out and write down what you see!

What to write in your Field Trip Journal
~ Write down your feelings about the pope
~ How it feels that he is in DC
~ Write down what you would ask the pope if you were in Congress and why
~ Draw what you think his route should be so he can see you!
~ If you could tell the pope to visit 7 spots in America, where would you suggest and why?
~ Research the pope and who he was before he became pope and write a report on him as a person
~ Listen and take notes on the congress address from the pope. What stands out? What is important?
~ Even if you don't speak Spanish, watch the Mass he gives and say what you have learned.
~ What is the importance of the first Latin American pope?

--> Ask your own questions and find your own answers! <--

Some questions you can search to answer in a homeschooling lesson around the pope.
Questions from the kids!! 
~ Why does he need a huge motorcade?
~ Why is he here in America?
~ Who is Pope Francis?
~ Where was his born?
~ Why is he here in America?
~ What will he talk to the United States Congress about?
~ Can there be a woman pope?
~ Why can't the pope marry and what would it be like if he could?
~ Is the pope rich?

We watched Pope Francis landing in JBAB live! It was electric- you could see it!
As we watch the motorcade head to the Vatican Embassy, which rivals President Obama's hands down, on NBC Washington, I am writing this!

You can watch the Pope putting his own two feet on US soil!


How to See the Pope in D.C. without a ticket!

Wednesday 23 September 2015
  • Pope Francis meets with President Barack Obama at the White House at 9:15 a.m. EDT, followed by a loop in the popemobile from the Ellipse to the National Mall near the Washington Monument at about 11 a.m. EDT.
  • --> If you are going to the Washington Monument tomorrow morning to see the pope, they start opening the waiting area to the public at 4am until 10am. You MUST get there before they close it at 10am or you will miss your chance to see him. 
  • The pope’s only Mass in Washington, D.C., is at 4:15 p.m. EDT Wednesday at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. He will canonize Junipero Serra, a Spanish-born priest who started nine missions in California in the 1700s. The Mass will be in Spanish.
Thursday, 24 September 2015
  • Pope Francis addresses a joint session of Congress, the first for any pope, at 9:20 a.m. EDT. He plans to speak in English.
After this, he will be in New York City and Philadelphia. Check your local news as things do change. 

 Check here for his entire US schedule and link to live web cast!

 Love this little girl got to meet the pope! 
Here is the live twitter feed for #PopeinDC



No comments:

Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Girl Scouts Troop 5823 Bridging Fall 2015

My girl scouts bridged this week!
We went from a troop of 20, and 12 active girls, to a troop of 36 (with some still enrolling!).
Daisies, Brownies, Juniors, Cadettes, and Ambassador.
If you are in the Washington DC, Maryland, or Virginia and wish to get more information or join please go here and contact the troop. You can also go to gscnc.org

((Don't forget to enter to win Two National Tickets here))

It was the biggest compliment in the world. Any leader will know what I am talking about all the hard work that you don't get paid for. Sometimes headaches, sometimes joys. All the ironing of vests which took forever (and a huge shout out to my Co M for helping!), getting girls registered (even up to a few hours before) the ceremony, getting the days' program together, the patches, everything-- it was worth it to see the girls SO excited. 

So the bridging ceremony. I was over the moon thrilled that 2/3 of the girls made it. Especially with sickness going around with the change of the season and some still in process of registering. 
We are a very diverse troop, with many different socio-economical status, religions, schooling preferences. I am so excited about this. What a way to teach girls about loving and accepting each other in sisterhood! 

2/3 of the girls in Girl Scout Troop 5823 Bridging Ceremony
A huge thank you to my parents for all their pictures! One of my awesome parents took this one ^.

So for the bridge itself, I took three pallets. 
Two on the ends I painted white and my kids and I splatted paint all over the place. 
For the third pallet, we painted it periwinkle blue. 
I took the two white and splatted pallets are on the bottom with the periwinkle one placed in the middle and on top of the other two. 
I like this style because I can easily store in my town house basement.

A huge thank you to El Golfo in Silver Spring, Maryland for donating quesadillas to our troop!
They are absolutely delicious!! 
We had that as a main course and asked each family to bring a dish to share. 
We had juice, carrots, chips, 7 layer dip, lots of mac and cheese, and more!

It was a celebration and a feast!

Of course, we have to go over Fall Product as that starts next week. I will update the link to support the troop by ordering nuts, candies, and magazines, just in time for Christmas shopping.

We also starting talking about our service projects we are going to do this year and asked parents to start prepping to gather things and looking for items to do for  our three service projects this semester!

In confession too, we ordered bridging patches (15 of them) for our girls thinking we would have enough. Of course, I underestimated how many girls we would get this fall. So what we did is we decided in scout fashion, to have activities to earn it. 

Bridging '15 Fun Patch
snappylogos.com
Bridging Participation Patch Requirements
1) Participate in the bridging ceremony-- get their vests (which my co and I took ALL day ironing on for them so everything was in (the right) place). 
2) Sign In Artistically--As they bridging over they "signed in" by tracing their hand and signing it according to their level (which is what my daisies are holding). 
3) Get to Know Each Other-- After, they divided into groups and took their worksheets created by my co with each girls' name on it around and asked girls their favourite colour and snack. For the daisies, the mamas helped them. Brownies, Jrs, and my Ambassador were on their own to finish it off.
4) Leave No Trace-- After they eat, they practice not only LNT (Leave No Trace), they level the place better than they found it by helping to clean up the park of any trash before and after the ceremony that was there. 

Not only did we have a great ceremony, activity, picnic dinner together in the park, kids getting to play together, but I have an awesome set of parents this year (I think :P ). They helped clean up. They helped me with the use of their cars getting tables and the bridge back. They helped me with keeping eyes on little ones during the ceremony. With helping their own girls. 

I got home and was happy it went off well. (And yes, I have media permission from all parents).
I definitely, as a leader and perfectionist, sat and wondered, what could be done better? Finishing up details and all that jazz about 10pm. 
It is always a great reminder when you sit down to finish emails to the group and see there is another sign up request! 

I would call it a great success!! 
To my families!
I look forward to an awesome amazing year! 

Thank you!

XOXO





So proud of all my girl scouts! They bridged last night! They earned a patch doing scouting activities that were low...
Posted by Via Bella on Wednesday, September 16, 2015
No comments:

Monday, September 14, 2015

Emotional Migraines (What They Are & What to Do)

You know, when someone drops an emotional bomb on you and then just walks away?
Or the day your kids are running around and just not listening to a single word?
You say, "don't do that", so what must they do? Exactly what you told them not to, of course!



I really dislike that and more so as time goes on. 
I now have a super migraine where my eyes looked like this in the corner of my eyes:



I have never had that happen.
Someone breached my trust again.
Someone won't stop not listening.
Someone thought pushing every nerve again was ok.
Someone who did not get sleep last night is making everyone around them suffer.
I did not get enough sleep last night.
I am stressed about work, kids, perfection, etc.
Barely starting homeschooling for the year and testing is this week.
Gathering back from a 3 day weekend still.

Whatever your reason is, and the one that caused mine is somewhere up there, these headaches are intense and make you non functional. Excedrin did not work this time.  Coffee did not work this time. I know, been there and done that.

(Don't Forget to enter the giveaway for a pair of National Tickets)

Here are few must do's to avoid them or curb them right away!!

1) That being said, drink lots of water!!


Ok, not that kind of water, but isn't that peaceful?! At least the music and the waterfall help stress levels.

2) Listen to beautiful peaceful music and just be.
"Just be"?! Yes, just be. Even if only for the 3 minutes this video is. Every second you reduce your stress level is taking down those levels.

3) Rest.
Seriously sometimes all you can do is rest. Throw a blanket over your head and rest.

4) Cool wash cloth
If you are work especially, take a cool wash cloth and put over your eyes and take a few minutes break, drink water and coffee (I know, you will have to pee soon but worth it), take excedrin, and see if that works.

5) Snack very lightly
Instead of eating normally, graze a tiny bit if around lunch time. Start with the BRAT diet items, so a cracker is great. Then move on to getting those protein levels up!

6) NO Sugar
I am SO incredibly guilty of this. Like, so guilty of it. If I feel a headache coming on, I will go to sugar sometimes. It will make it worse! <-- Read that again. It seriously will. The hard part is sometimes you will crave it, not realise it, and then the headache comes on.

Prevent Them!
1) Get enough ZZZZ's.
That is like, duh? With Americans lacking sleep though, the duh moment does not always kick in when it needs to and we don't sleep well.

2) Exercise often.
This will help keep stress down.

3) Meditate.
Being in stillness and with the stillness. In this crazy world, everything is warped in time. It goes by so fast. Take 5 minutes to be still!

4) Eat Well.
I am guilty of not doing my best on this one sometimes. It is crucial though.

5) Vitamins.
Especially if you are not good at ^ that one, you need to make sure to take a vitamin that can give you what you need.

Comment Below!
What do your migraines look like?
What do you do for them?
Do you know what triggers them?

*This is of my own experience, not paid for or endorsed by anyone
______________________________________________________________________________


Something I have personally struggled with- Emotional Migraines. I know I am not the only one I am sure. How do you...
Posted by Via Bella on Monday, September 14, 2015
No comments:

The (California) Valley Fire- How to Help

I normally don't do post like these but this is personal...
The Valley Fire...has taken....
-- My aunt's shed is gone-- just got AMAZING news (we thought her house burned down, it did not!)
-- So far, 61,000 acres.
-- 1 life (and thankful for the fast evacuation and the saving of lives)
-- thousands of homes and most of downtown



I am SO thankful that she still has her horses and dogs.
I am thankful my aunt was not home because this fire took the term "wildfire" and took off with it.
It hit so fast with little warning.
So huge thank you to the first responders and RIP to the lost life.

My aunt has not been back to her home, as many have not either.
Thankfully her dogs were saved by a friend and her horses let go.
The horses supposedly left the property, met up with other horses that were escaping. In true survivor fashion they became a herd family and stayed together. After the fire they made their way back home to the property. Thoughts that they get water soon and stay safe!

Other people have lost everything. They are waiting until the embers subside to find out the fate of their homes. Many have no medicine, change of clothes, etc with them.

Please keep them in thought and prayer and help out if you can!

I figured one way to help out from 3000 miles away was putting all the links, resources, and sharing a haunting unreal picture via The Press Democrat, with you to help you and those dealing with the fire.

Find out where to get updates, how and where to donate, and if you are a victim of this fire how to check in and sound advice from others.

That being said, pictures say a thousand words...
Picture via Santa Rosa Press Democrat
How to Explain the Weather of It:


Twitter is fired up all about it and you can learn more from many resources and people here!
Get Updates!
Ways to Donate:
Visit lovelakecounty.org and find lots of ways to donate to families, animals, shelters, the city and so many more. More than 30 places are looking for donations! Please do help!


For the Animals:

 For those that are evacuees:
Important reminders:

Register at Safe and Well to let people know you are safe or call 1800-RED-CROSS/1-800-733-2767 to let them know you are safe!


If you live just south of this fire in the SF/East Bay...see how big this fire would be if it were there!


Please do help and share this post to help! 



The #ValleyFire has made national news! Please click, share, and help those that have lost their town and homes. I have...
Posted by Via Bella on Monday, September 14, 2015
No comments:

Monday, September 7, 2015

The Rainbow Egg: Book Review

This is a family review of the book "The Rainbow Egg". Each of my kids (able) have written their own review on their on accord. 

Family Review:
A very cute book that is a must read. A

My Review: 
I think that it is a beautiful story of "Hope"-- a chicken who lived in the woods amongst deer and the other animals, but not in a chicken house. She has an egg and with no one for it, decided to care for the egg. Carried it because their was no nest. Hope gave hope to two chickens who were the only ones in the chicken house to not have their own rainbow egg and blessed both the baby chick and those two chickens by giving up her egg.

 I think it is a beautiful story but a few things-- questions are left unanswered. It touches on adoption- which is dealt with beautifully, but also leaves questions. Why did she live in the woods? Why did she leave the baby instead of joining the group? What was her relationship to the woods? I felt it could have been longer given the topic and the questions left unanswered. The title is cute but should say or include something that shows it is not a book (in my opinion) to be read before bedtime for the targeted audience. It could give them dreams of being given away-- that is if they are sensitive. Now this could have been on purpose to leave and open the topic to the family to result in talking about adoption rather than just a book telling you about it-- and I appreciate that. However, a kid who reads without a parent may be wanting questions answered. 
A great book to start the topic for young ones, with someone there to help answer questions. 

 I do not think this is kindle friendly at all in some places making it hard to read. That quickly impacts my review. I would give the story a B. 

Below are the kids' reviews. 
Don't forget to enter to win a pair of National Tickets! 



V's Review:
"The book is about this chicken named Hope. Hope lived in the woods, One day Hope found a  egg it was a beautiful egg. because Hope had no nest in the woods, she had to carry her egg everywhere she went.  the story is a great and if you read it you would think so too."



B's Review:
                  This is a book called "The Rainbow Egg", and it is a great book. The main characters are Hope, The Egg, mr. and mrs. Rainbow,  and the redbird. The redbird helped Hope find the Rainbows, who helped care for the chick that hatched from the Egg.
                   Hope laid a egg and it was a beautiful egg. Except she had nowhere to keep it. She hiked for miles until she reached a nearby coop, inside was mr. and mrs. Rainbow. They allowed her to leave her egg in their coop. Hope saw her egg hatch, out came a chick boy, Hope said goodbye and hugged her baby, then she left!
                   Hope is a very beautiful chicken. One day, she laid an egg. It had a rainbow pattern on it. Hope tried to carry it, but it was just too heavy. She went to a nearby coop. It was packed, but the only nest with no egg was occupied by mr. and mrs. Rainbow. They were glad to take the egg in. When Hope was ready to go, her egg hatched. It was a beautiful baby boy, Hope shed tears, hugged her son tightly, and said goodbye.
                    Hope is a loving mother, the Rainbows has a chick, and the chick is healthy. Hope helped the Egg, (now a chick) get into a safe home. The happy Rainbows are now teaching the maturing chick to fly. Everything is going well.
                    This book is amazing in every perspective. Hope is a interesting character. She is confident and courageous. The Rainbows are timid creatures. They are quick and quite timid, yet they talk a lot, bye and see you next paper!

You can buy the book here:
Amazon.com-- The Rainbow Egg on Amazon

This is a great homeschooling opportunity for your kids! Have them review books and type them up!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255. 
___________________________________________________________________ Share the Love! 



Kiddos got to review this book with me. A book about adoption and a chick who gives her rainbow egg to two chickens...
Posted by Via Bella on Monday, September 7, 2015

No comments:

Saturday, September 5, 2015

National Book Festival 2015

We have been for the last four years to the National Book Festival. It is worth it to go.
There is a lot of fun things to do for everyone.
You will be fighting to have the person you came with watch your kiddos so you can wait in line for Al Roker, Buzz Aldrin, or others. By the time I had gotten there, mid morning, there was a huge line=Al Roker. Anyone who knows me knows I would have absolutely loved to hear him speak about his book on weather. However, with kids, neither do they have patience or stamina to wait in line for hours to maybe get in. They have to go play here and now.
(Enter to win a pair of National Tickets here)

Here is the National Book Festival Schedule.

As a mama and kid at heart, I loved doing the it with them and bringing my girl scouts.
So honestly, there was no real loss to me. Trust that I am not the parent normally to sit on the side line-- I am jumping right in to the a Goosebumps picture or getting in the wagon.

One of the funniest parts (but worked out awesome for the theme of the picture) is that we stood in front of a green screen and my shirt was green so I blended into the background. LOL.
Not intentional but let's pretend it was on purpose to up my cool factor of being half invisible!

Myself, my kiddos, and my Daisy Scout Abby
You have the choice of doing the Goosebumps or this other cute elephant generic. You know, for the little tikes that don't like Goosebumps or not exposed to the classic yet. I can't wait to get my kids into them. They would still be a little scared of it so we are waiting to share but getting close!

I absolutely LOVE this picture though! 

Myself, Daisy Abby, Brownie Via, Junior Lindell
This was a must picture. A girl from each of my current level troop. My Daisy Abby, my Brownie Via, and my Junior Lindell! They all had fun. Given that everything was all over the place and they all wanted to do different things, it went well. 

Some went to the National Geographic section which was great, but we did not have time for.
Some went to the Scholastic section where they had the photo booth, reading, some goodies, and colouring activities. Clifford appeared of course but did not catch a picture. 

Kiddos and I and my scout Abby in the Well Fargo Wagon
Wells Fargo had their classic story and you answered questions about their history and got a stuffed horse in return. All three these kids got one. They also got in the wagon which is another tradition.

We did not have time to make it to the 50 states (it takes about 1-3 hours to go through depending).
Florida always has the best goodies they give away but we were not able to make it this year- they were giving out folk cds, bags, and something else from recollection.

Here you can find where to order the patch if you did go and have scouts or are a leader (or just collect them). I personally like last year's better.
2015 National Book Festival Patch

In my honest opinion, it was not good as last year in terms of activities for kids. I wish they had the rock climbing again. Wish they had all the other cool activities and giveaways that they had last year. Wish it were two days instead of one. It makes it less crowded and more to see and do for the whole family.

Still worth going to no matter what especially if you live the Washington DC Metro area. Or if you are visiting, it's worth a visit.

This was not paid for or sponsored at all.
Just a troop mama taking her kiddos and scouts and sharing!
______________________________________________________________________
Share the love!


#NatBookFest2015 --Read my review here! Kiddos and my #girlscout #troop5823 had fun! If you have not going to the...
Posted by Via Bella on Saturday, September 5, 2015
No comments:
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)

Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner

Disclaimer

All materials written or shared from here are copyrighted and protected underneath the USA copyright & patent laws. No reproduction or use of any writings/ media in this blog or it's social media pages without the sole permission by me!

Also, There are posts that are sponsored by companies/business' in which I review (and sometimes) giveaway products/books/services. Each relevant post will have the disclaimer.