Today's Post: Foodie Friday, Crockpot Cheesburger Soup

Today I am posting at Oklahoma Women Bloggers. I am sharing a few favorite Seinfeld quotes and...

...this recipe.

You are more than welcome to right click save/print this recipe card. Enjoy!

Elf on a Shelf with The 4-Crow's 2013- The Arrival

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At 6:53 pm, the doorbell rang. Who could possibly be ringing our doorbell on Thanksgiving night? Our Christmas lights had only been on for an hour. Of course my nosy children are all up in the door opening and find this. 

Charley and Malia Peppermint Pattie sitting on our doorstep, with a letter from Santa. 

I don't want my kids to lose sight of what Christmas is really about. It is easy to get caught up in all of the commercialism of the holiday. I want them to know that it is by God's grace that we get gifts and have life. And that truly gifts of works and actions speak so much louder than words and physical gifts. Here is the actual copy of the letter I wrote. I found the blank template from this pin. 

Do you have an Elf on the Shelf? Won't you please link up and play along once a week until December 26th? You can share seven pictures, a few, or just one of your favorite Elf moments/memories of the week. All you have to do is grab the above button and put your blog link in the linkup form that I will provide each week. I look forward to seeing all of the Elf games and fun you are having!

Elf on a Shelf with The 4-Crow's 2013 will be posted the following Thursdays, hope you join in!

November 28

December 5

December 12

December 29

December 26

The Nativity Story: An App Review

Where will baby Jesus be born? At the market? At a restaurant? At the inn? Readers of the book app The Nativity Story can follow Joseph and Mary on their search for a place to stay in Bethlehem. Along the way they will encounter a variety of colorful local people and animals. This is a fun and engaging way to share the original story of Christmas with the young generation and remind them what Christmas is all about.

Take a look at this YouTube video.



I love fun apps for my daughter, especially interactive apps that reinforce our beliefs. This particular app is for kids ages 2-10.

Why Kids Love This App

• It's like a vintage pop-up book, with classic woodcut-style illustrations
• By tapping and swiping, kids can help Joseph and Mary find a place to stay.
• Knock on doors... Pull on the rope... Ring the bell... Open windows... Make people talk...
• Create music! Help a band of angels play their instruments.
• Lots of characters to get to know: Innkeeper, Merchant, Shepherds, Chef, A Band of Actors, Neighbourhood Children, Mary's Donkey, Farm Animals and of course... Angels!
• Funny sound effects!

Why Parents & Grandparents Love This App

• Nostalgia. It feels like a classic pop-up book, bringing back memories for parents and grandparents.
• Optional Narration: Listen to the old-timey narrator tell the story, or read the story yourself.
• EXTRA Feature: After the story, explore the original Bible text that tells the Nativity Story
• Amazing Visual Quality: Support for retina display

How is This Christmas App Different?

• Production Values - It is a work of art: a rich visual and sound experience.
• Interactive - We use the touch technology and animation to engage the reader in the story in an enchanting and educational way.
• Age approach - The classic Bible story is retold here with an original and creative approach that appeals to young kids as well as adults.
• Original - The app is designed like a vintage popup book and includes unique features such as interacting with a band of angels and playing instruments like trumpet and harp.

We downloaded the app onto our iPad. Here is my iTunes review: 

"The Christmas Story brought to life with a great interactive story app. There is a surprise on every page. It is made to look like a pop-up book which grabs the attention of every reader. I keep going over the pages to see what I possibley missed. This is a must  have Christmas app that will be used for years to come."

-CrowMoma2

For the iPad ($3.99)
The Nativity Story - Popup DELUXE Edition https://itunes.apple.com/app/id579941573

For the iPhone ($1.99)
The Nativity Story - Popup MINI Edition https://itunes.apple.com/app/id681638132

The Nativity Story App: http://puddletap.com/apps/miracles/nativity/
Download The Nativity Story fact sheet: https://www.dropbox.com/s/7p2cmw6uh1yyq9o/nativity_story_app_info_english.pdf

Elf on a Shelf 2013 with The 4-Crow's

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Only one week away and Malia Peppermint Pattie and Charley our scout elves return from the North Pole. Last Thanksgiving night The 4-Crow's were summoned by the doorbell and found a visitor from the North Pole. The visitor was nameless at the time, but soon became know as Malia Peppermint Pattie. 2011 was our first year to participate in the Elf on the Shelf tradition. We didn't exactly have a "real" Elf on the Shelf, so I called our daily link up Elf on a Shelf. We had Charley, a 40+ year old Whitman's Chocolate Candy Elf.

It was that year that we hosted a daily link up where we asked our readers to show us the daily activities of their elf. In 2012 we hosted a weekly link up, showcasing a full 7 days of elf fun. Our Charley, had to semi retire. He is still a part of our household, but because he is "vintage", I decided he no longer needed to be serving in any reindeer games. He is actually pictured in the above button, see his rips? You can read more about Charley here, also feel free to visit the last two years of linkups and see what kinds of fun our scouts have around our nest.

Do you have an Elf on the Shelf? Won't you please link up and play along once a week until December 26th? You can share seven pictures, a few, or just one of your favorite Elf moments/memories of the week. All you have to do is grab the above button and put your blog link in the linkup form that I will provide each week. I look forward to seeing all of the Elf games and fun you are having!

As an added bonus this year and to help keep me a little more organized since I am now working two jobs from home, I have made myself an Elf on a Shelf Calendar. Feel free to use my ideas or print out the blank form for your own use. 

Elf on a Shelf with The 4-Crow's 2013 will be posted the following Thursdays, hope you join in!

November 28
December 5
December 12
December 29
December 26

Mark Your Calendars! A Very Pinteresting Christmas Linkup with The 4-Crow's Blog begins December 2nd!

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It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas, but I want to enjoy Thanksgiving first. What about you?

Mark you calendars now and be sure to tune in December as I bring you the second annual  "A Very Pinteresting Christmas" Linkup.  If you have any Pinterest inspired activities throughout the month, be sure to grab the above button and linkup your ideas! "A Very Pinteresting Christmas" will be 15 days of Pinterest inspired food, fun, crafty days of linkups that all can be used during this wonderful season of joy. It will run from December 2-20 here at The 4-Crow's Blog. I hope you will join in on the fun! I can't wait to see what you come up with and your twists on the fun  pins floating around.


Think you will join in? RSVP below!

1 Girl Nation CD: Review/Giveaway- Closed

Oh be careful little ears what you hear. That may be a simple verse to a child's Sunday school song, but believe me, it does matter what our kids listen too. My daughter is 6 and her friend that we take to school and pick up daily is 4. We have been listening to a new CD this week in the car. I have to tell you, hearing them singing about being "Daddy's Girl" and "Living for Jesus while their Young" is certainly more appealing than some guy singing to them about a girl with pretty brown eyes with a magazine figure shaped like a bottle. Just my opinion. Of course I am the guilty mother that doesn't really always pay attention and know the lyrics to songs, just a few words. I MUST pay more attention.

Can I just say, I HAVE paid attention this week and LOVE 1 Girl Nation!!! I love that my girl loves them. I even received a text from our little friend's mom asking me what the Daddy song was- believe me this song will be your little/big girl's and husbands favorite!

"Landing in the space where One Direction meets TobyMac, 1 Girl Nation is an exciting blend of upbeat pop music, with lyrics that are totally focused on living life for God, even while you’re young. 1GN, as they’ve already been dubbed, stars Carmen, Kayli, Kelsey, Lauryn Taylor and Lindsey, five girls with a passion for telling their fans about Christ through their music. Their first single, “While We’re Young,” can be heard on radio stations across the country and their self-titled debut album is available now!"

Listen for yourself!



Not only did I get a copy to review, but I also get to bless one of my readers with their very own copy of the 1GN CD. This CD is for preteens, teens, and young adults (as well as parents, too!) Who wants it? Just say "ME" in a Disqus comment! Bonus entries are available and encouraged. You will definitely want to be following these girls on all their social media sites!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The First Christmas Night: Book Review & Giveaway

"Twas the very first Christmas when all through the town

not a creature was stirring—there was not a sound.

The moon shining bright in the heavens so high

gave the look of midday to the Bethlehem sky.

The animals were nestled in warm, cozy places

with looks of contentment on each of their faces..."

Want more? One of my readers is going to get their very own copy of this beautiful book to bring into their home just in time for Christmas. The book is recommended for ages 4-8. I cannot wait to take it church and read it to my small group girls! 

The First Christmas Night by Keith Christopher is a beautiful retelling of the birth of Jesus on that joyous night in Bethlehem so long ago. The poem begins with the arrival of Mary and Joseph in Bethlehem and winds though Christ’s birth, the angels’ appearance to the shepherds, and the visit by the Wise Men. The simple, yet elegant, verses will appeal to little ones and are accompanied by the rich acrylic illustrations of Christine Kornacki.

Who wants it? The only requirement is a Disqus comment telling me this: Who will you share The First Christmas Night with? After all this is what Christmas is all about the birth of our Lord and Savior- Jesus Christ. Bonus entries are available in the Rafflecopter form. 

The First Christmas Night
Written by: Keith Christopher
Illustrated by: Christine Kornacki
Publisher: Ideals Books
Hardcover: 32 pages
$16.99

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thank You Veterans

“How important it is for us to recognize and celebrate our heroes and she-roes!” --Maya Angelou

My heart is full today. Full of gratitude and respect for the men and women who don the uniforms of past and present to protect the freedoms granted to me so far and the ones of my future. Thank you to the few family member below who have been shining examples to our family and such a legacy. Thank you is two little words that are too small to even begin to make up for the sacrifices that you and your brothers and sisters in arms have made.

Halloween 2013

Another Halloween has come and gone. I fear this may be the last for my little, big man. I think I say that every year. This year we had a Pre-teen Candy Hobo and Little Miss Dorothy from Oklahoma. Once again costumes were as frugal as could be and Pinterest inspired. Miss K's American Girl even got a matching costume made, down to her ruby red slippers. 

Miss K helped me make her tutu and B's cap was made by a friend at church. Of course my sewing machine didn't work so I resorted to my favorite alternative Liquid Stitch for the aprons. It worked. 

Miss K, knotting the tulle

Making the aprons

Glitter, Mod Podge, Foam Brush and shoes

The finished costume on the American Girl Doll- adorable! (sorry for the terrible iphone pic)

Thankfully we only hit three houses for candy and only received 3 Snickers bars. I had them for breakfast with my Diet Coke. How was your Halloween?