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Friday, January 22, 2016

Five Ways to Use Rosary Roses to Teach Your Kids About the Faith

Five Ways to Use Rosary Roses to Teach Your Kids About the Catholic Faith: Prayer, Saints, Honoring Mary, Gratitude, Sacrifice, and Acts of Kindness which will draw us ever closer to our loving God!  www.sweetlittleonesblog.com

I was given a set of Rosary Roses by Annery's Handmade to review, but all opinions are my own (and my kids' too!).  This post does NOT contain affiliate links.  Please see my disclosure for more information.


I was very intrigued by these Rosary Roses by Annery's Handmade when I first heard about them.  We had just begun praying the Rosary together as a family, so I thought they would be a great learning tool for our children while we were all saying our prayers.

And after receiving our Rosary Roses, we quickly discovered that they have many more uses than teaching our children how to pray the rosary.  These crocheted roses can be used in so many different and fun ways to teach our children about our Catholic Faith!

Five Ways to Use Rosary Roses to Teach Your Kids About the Catholic Faith: Prayer, Saints, Honoring Mary, Gratitude, Sacrifice, and Acts of Kindness which will draw us ever closer to our loving God!  www.sweetlittleonesblog.com

Praying the Rosary.

Obviously!  This is what they were made for.  Ten roses of one color for each Hail Mary and one of a different color for the Our Father and Glory Be

Five Ways to Use Rosary Roses to Teach Your Kids About the Catholic Faith: Prayer, Saints, Honoring Mary, Gratitude, Sacrifice, and Acts of Kindness which will draw us ever closer to our loving God!  www.sweetlittleonesblog.com

Two of my favorite things about the Rosary Roses are that they're soft and the perfect size for a child's hand.  They focus on their prayers better because they have something beautiful to touch and look at while praying.  And since the roses are movable and are larger than the beads of a rosary, they also help them count the prayers better.

Our daughter J absolutely loves using them while we pray the Rosary.  She particularly likes to line them up in an arc around her!

Five Ways to Use Rosary Roses to Teach Your Kids About the Catholic Faith: Prayer, Saints, Honoring Mary, Gratitude, Sacrifice, and Acts of Kindness which will draw us ever closer to our loving God!  www.sweetlittleonesblog.com
Our Lady of Guadalupe and St. Juan Diego: The Miracle of the Roses

Learning the Lives of the Saints.

During the Advent season, we celebrated several feast days, including the feasts of St. Juan Diego and Our Lady of Guadalupe.

The kids had a blast acting out their story of the Miracle of the Roses with their Rosary Roses.  They kept asking to play it again and again (B especially loved dumping the roses - go figure!) so it helped them to really learn and remember the story of these two saints in such a fun way.

There are so many saints with roses as a part of their story (St. Thérèse of Lisieux being my favorite "rose" saint!), so we're looking forward to continue using them throughout the year to teach our kids about the lives of these holy men and women of God.

Five Ways to Use Rosary Roses to Teach Your Kids About the Catholic Faith: Prayer, Saints, Honoring Mary, Gratitude, Sacrifice, and Acts of Kindness which will draw us ever closer to our loving God!  www.sweetlittleonesblog.com
We love you, Mary and Baby Jesus!

Honoring Mary, the Mother of God.  

We love to give flowers to Mary, but we don't always have fresh flowers at our house (especially in the winter!).  So we will lay the Rosary Roses at her feet to thank her for her "yes" to God to bear and raise the Savior of the World!

Counting Sacrifices.  

Have you heard of St. Thérèse's Sacrifice Beads?  You "pull a bead" every time you make a sacrifice, like fasting, not complaining, doing something you don't like to (like washing the dishes!), etc.  Well, we use the roses instead of beads.  When the kids give something up - no matter how small - they get to put a rose in the bucket.  And when the bucket is full, they present their roses to Jesus as gifts of love to Him.

Five Ways to Use Rosary Roses to Teach Your Kids About the Catholic Faith: Prayer, Saints, Honoring Mary, Gratitude, Sacrifice, and Acts of Kindness which will draw us ever closer to our loving God!  www.sweetlittleonesblog.com
Excited that their bucket is full!

Counting Acts of Kindness.

We use them to count good deeds as well.  They also get to put a rose in the bucket every time they help clean up their toys, empty the dishwasher, share a toy without being asked, do something kind for someone else, and so on.  Once again, when the bucket is full of roses, they lovingly present them to Jesus.

Five Ways to Use Rosary Roses to Teach Your Kids About the Catholic Faith: Prayer, Saints, Honoring Mary, Gratitude, Sacrifice, and Acts of Kindness which will draw us ever closer to our loving God!  www.sweetlittleonesblog.com

Needless to say, we love our Rosary Roses!  They get played with or used everyday!

But the best part is that they are an excellent tool to teach our children about prayer, the saints, being grateful, sacrificial love, and being kind - which all draw us ever closer to our loving God!

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P.S.  Thank you, Annery's Handmade, for our Rosary Roses!  They are well loved!


You may also like:

How to Pray a Family Rosary: 7 Tips for Real Life Families


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What is the Rosary?  Here is how to pray this beautiful devotion!





I'm linking up with these awesome parties!

Thursday, January 21, 2016

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Dip

This Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Dip Recipe is the perfect Egg- and Peanut-Free sweet snack and appetizer!  Using common ingredients, this delicious dessert dip only takes 5 minutes to make and is sure to be a crowd pleaser!  www.sweetlittleonesblog.com

It can be hard to find delicious and fun desserts for kids that are both egg-free and peanut-free.  But this Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Dip is perfect on all counts.

Last week, Whitney tagged me on Instagram for this Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Dip recipe by Kelly at Just a Taste, and I instantly knew I had to make it ASAP!  And since then, I've already made it twice.  Everyone loves it!  It's definitely a winner at our house.

This Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Dip Recipe is the perfect Egg- and Peanut-Free sweet snack and appetizer!  Using common ingredients, this delicious dessert dip only takes 5 minutes to make and is sure to be a crowd pleaser!  www.sweetlittleonesblog.com

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Dip
(Recipe by Kelly at Just a Taste)

Prep time: 5 minutes

Ingredients

1/2 cup unsalted butter
1 (8 oz) pkg. cream cheese
1/3 cup sugar
1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
2-1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 tsp. salt
1-1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
Pretzels, graham crackers, or fruit for dipping

Directions

1.  With a stand mixer, beat butter, cream cheese, sugar, and brown sugar until combined (about 1.5 minutes).  You will have to scrape down the sides with a spatula a few times.  Do not over mix.

2.  Slowly mix in the salt and vanilla.

3.  Gently stir in chocolate chips.

4.  Serve with pretzels, graham crackers, or fruit.  Cover and refrigerate leftovers.

This Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Dip Recipe is the perfect Egg- and Peanut-Free sweet snack and appetizer!  Using common ingredients, this delicious dessert dip only takes 5 minutes to make and is sure to be a crowd pleaser!  www.sweetlittleonesblog.com

My husband and kids give this Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Dip 5 stars, so it's been added to the Favorites list!  And my favorite part?  It uses common ingredients, it only takes 5 minutes to make, and everyone loves it!  You can't beat that.

Do you have any favorite egg- and peanut-free recipes for desserts or sweet snacks?  Please share your recipes in the comments!

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This Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Dip Recipe is the perfect Egg- and Peanut-Free sweet snack and appetizer!  Using common ingredients, this delicious dessert dip only takes 5 minutes to make and is sure to be a crowd pleaser!  www.sweetlittleonesblog.com

I'm linking up with these awesome parties!


Tuesday, January 19, 2016

10 Month Bump Update: Adoption Style (Tuesday Talk #55)

I love reading pregnant moms' monthly bump updates!  Recording all the things you've felt and thought about while waiting for your little one is so sweet.  What a beautiful memory to treasure in your heart and share with your child when they're older!

I always wanted to do one, but I thought it never applied to me.  But one day while I was wearing my youngest, I realized that my bump just comes after my little one arrives.  So here is my bump update - adoption style:

Bump Update: Adoption Style.  Babywearing my little one who grew in my heart through the blessing of adoption!  www.sweetlittleonesblog.com

How far along:  10 months

Weight gain:  My heart is so much lighter now that you are with us, dear one!  But seriously, you are getting heavy at over 20 lbs now!

Nicknames:  Kangaroo and joey.  J loves to say that I carry you in my kangaroo pouch.

What I'm wearing:  a ring sling til you were 4 months old and mostly an Ergo baby carrier since then.

Stretch marks:  All over.  You make me want to be the best mother, teacher, wife, woman that I can be.

Craving: to have you close to my heart always!

Movement:  You love to bounce and kick when I carry you.  I'm so glad your legs are off to the side!

Symptoms:  After wearing you all day (especially when you're very bouncy), my back can be pretty sore!

Miss anything:  Being able to pick something up off the ground when I'm wearing you.  Now I see how pregnant women feel!

Best moment:  When you fall asleep on my chest.

Worst moment: When you wet through your diaper on me.

Favorite memories:  Taking walks, going to the zoo, visiting Notre Dame (your first time!) and hiking at the State Parks while carrying you, watching you play with my necklace, holding you during Mass and at my Mom's group at church, watching you laugh while you bounce up and down, seeing you drift off to sleep snuggled up right next to me, bonding with you while you're close to my heart.

Looking forward to: watching you grow, not just in size and age, but closer to Jesus, your siblings, your dad, and me everyday!


I has so much fun going through all of my babywearing pictures that I thought I'd share my favorites for our unique "bump timeline"!

Bump Update: Adoption Style.  Babywearing my little one who grew in my heart through the blessing of adoption!  www.sweetlittleonesblog.com
 3 months


Bump Update: Adoption Style.  Babywearing my little one who grew in my heart through the blessing of adoption!  www.sweetlittleonesblog.com
4 months
(Mommy / Daughter Babywearing "Bumps"!)


Bump Update: Adoption Style.  Babywearing my little one who grew in my heart through the blessing of adoption!  www.sweetlittleonesblog.com
5 months


Bump Update: Adoption Style.  Babywearing my little one who grew in my heart through the blessing of adoption!  www.sweetlittleonesblog.com
6 months


Bump Update: Adoption Style.  Babywearing my little one who grew in my heart through the blessing of adoption!  www.sweetlittleonesblog.com
Photo by Amanda Jo Photography
6 months


Bump Update: Adoption Style.  Babywearing my little one who grew in my heart through the blessing of adoption!  www.sweetlittleonesblog.com
 6 months


Bump Update: Adoption Style.  Babywearing my little one who grew in my heart through the blessing of adoption!  www.sweetlittleonesblog.com
10 months


I had a lot of fun putting this together!  I am so glad that I was introduced to babywearing this time around - I have cherished every minute of having my son so close to my heart!

Thanks for indulging me for my special little bump update!  Looking forward to reading your posts this week!  Happy Tuesday!
 

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Bump Update: Adoption Style.  Babywearing my little one who grew in my heart through the blessing of adoption!  www.sweetlittleonesblog.com

Bump Update: Adoption Style.  Babywearing my little one who grew in my heart through the blessing of adoption!  www.sweetlittleonesblog.com
Last week's most viewed post was:
Beth from Our Pretty Little Girl's DIY Headband Holder
{PIN IT}


Bump Update: Adoption Style.  Babywearing my little one who grew in my heart through the blessing of adoption!  www.sweetlittleonesblog.com
 My favorites from last week:

Bump Update: Adoption Style.  Babywearing my little one who grew in my heart through the blessing of adoption!  www.sweetlittleonesblog.com
 Charlene at Enduring All Things' 6 Scriptures to Turn to When You Feel Anxious

Bump Update: Adoption Style.  Babywearing my little one who grew in my heart through the blessing of adoption!  www.sweetlittleonesblog.com
Sarah at Foxy's Domestic Side's How to Make a Rainbow Cake


You guys share so many great posts every week!  It is so hard to choose only a few to feature.  So throughout the week, I will also be featuring more of my favorites on my Facebook page too!   



Ok, on to the link up!
Let's connect!
Beth at Our Pretty Little Girls | Pinterest | Facebook | Instagram 
Michelle at Grammie Time | Pinterest | Instagram 
Check out the Tuesday Talk guidelines here,
and check out the features from every week here!


One thing before you link up - if you want the opportunity to be featured, please make sure there is a link back to at least one of the hosts in your post, sidebar, or party page.  (You can grab the button below!)  Your lovely blog is being presented on our 13 blogs - we would love it if you would return the favor and link back to us!  Thank you!!!

Sweet Little Ones - Tuesday Talk Link Up and Party

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I'm linking up with these awesome parties,
especially with Momfessional's Momfessional Moments:
I confess I have always wanted to share a bump update like most mom's do!
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