EGWs6uuBZ3pp-zGuVVdmeLgkJG4 Across the Avenue

Saturday, May 20, 2023

STEM Toys for Kids: Magformers Stick-O City Set #ProblemSolvingSkills #Basic Concepts

In our therapy clinic, we're always looking for ways to incorporate STEM activities into our sessions. Even our youngest kids benefit greatly from age-appropriate STEM activities. This week, we're excited to share about one of our a super fun finds, Stick-O City Set by Magformers. Recommended for kids ages 36+ months, this hand-on set allows toddlers to explore tactile learning using magnetic play. Each piece uses magnets that can rotate in different ways, allowing the creations to stick together easily as kids build. This eliminates much of the frustration that other building sets bring for little ones and gives them a better free play experience. 

Saturday, May 13, 2023

Teaching Character Education through a Diverse Book Library at Home




Diversifying your child’s library is so important. It helps them to learn about others, promote positive character traits, and strengthen their identity and self-confidence. This week, we received an excellent holiday book box that is the perfect start to any library. This bundle is from Cardinal Rule Press and many of the books even include reading strategies and discussion suggestions inside! 


Wednesday, May 3, 2023

Watch "Sun Moon" exclusively on Pure Flix starting May 5th & Enter our Giveaway! #SunMoonMIN #MomentumInfluencerNetwork


Pure Flix one of the best streaming services out there right now and the number one place to find quality Christian television shows and movies that you'll enjoy watching with your whole family. Curl up on the sofa and choose from a wide variety of adult series as well as children's programming, such as the beloved Veggie Tales!

This month, I've had the pleasure of previewing the film called "Sun Moon" and found it especially inspiring. The film is by AFFIRM Originals and it's available on Pure Flix on May 5, 2023. Check out the trailer below... 



About the Film

Kelsey is shocked and stuck after being left at the altar – unsure of everything she thought was God’s plan for her life. She abandons her faith and church. She is ashamed and embarrassed to confront her neighbors and community after what happened. After missionaries from Taiwan visit her church, Kelsey sees a job there as an opportunity to start fresh. Her sister encourages her to go. Her first several days overwhelm her, but her pride won’t allow her to admit defeat. Encountering some difficult students, Kelsey learns some are defiant to her teaching methods and tries a different approach. The principal encourages her to learn from Horace, another young teacher who is liked by the students. In an effort to assimilate, Kelsey asks Horace to teach her to ride a vespa and their friendship starts to form. Kelsey’s adventures and explorations of the country continue, her students warm up to her, but Kelsey knows her time there is expiring. The school throws a big Christmas party at the end of the semester. Students ask Kelsey to help them learn and perform a play based off the Biblical book of Ruth.



Expect these relatable themes as you view the film...

  • Keeping up appearances/your image

  • Learning new cultures

  • Loving all of God’s people, being afraid of losing loved ones/sick relatives

  • Being angry at God for how events unfolded

  • Moving forward after loss or unplanned events, healing

  • Friendship

  • Learning to trust in His timing

  • Struggling with disappointment and loss of faith

  • God uses everything, even the hurt and pain

  • Finding confidence

  • How to walk through difficult and challenging times

  • There is a season for everything

  • Grieving loss 

    • Horace lost family in earthquake, Kelsey’s mom is dying

    • Loss of relationship (romantic relationship and family as Kelsey and Liz grow apart)

  • God will push us out of comfort zone (all the way to Taiwan) 

  • The difference we make in the lives of other people 

  • “God did not burn you” your boyfriend did

  • Choosing to not blame God in difficult situations 

  • Overcoming adversity 


    Cast List

    MacKenzie Mauzy, Kelsey (INTO THE WOODS, NCIS: New Orleans)

    Justin Chien, Horace (Two Sides: Unfaithful)

    Madison McLaughlin, Liz (Arrow, Chicago P.D.)

    Michael Jong-Quin Huang, Principal (The Haunted Heart)

    Jason Burkey, Braden (FEARLESS FAITH, MIRACLE ON CHRISTMAS, I CAN ONLY IMAGINE)

    Leanne Morgan, Maida ((Netflix Original Stand-up special I’m Every Woman, Dry Bar Comedy, Thou Shalt Laugh 3)


    Synopsis

    Kelsey is running from failure, heartbreak and humiliation. In an attempt to understand God’s purpose for her life, she goes to Taiwan to teach English. Will her leap of faith pay off?


      You'll likely connect with these Bible Verses throughout the show:

      • Book of Ruth

      • “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.” – Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 (NIV)

      • “Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.” – Psalms 27:14 (NIV)

      • “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” – Galatians 6:9 (NIV)

      • “He said to them: ‘It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority.’” – Acts 1:7 (NIV)



      About Pure Flix

      Pure Flix is a one-stop shop for faith and family-friendly movies and shows where you can confidently stream in your home with the entire family. With new premium and exclusive original entertainment choices every week, Pure Flix streaming service has the largest variety of high-quality, curated, positive, encouraging, wholesome movies, series and kids' content in one service. Pure Flix is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sony Pictures Entertainment, alongside AFFIRM Films.

      Win It!
      The generous people of Pure Flix have offered to giveaway one three-month subscription to a lucky Across the Avenue reader. Enter below for your chance to win! This giveaway is limited to US winners only, and only to those who have NOT won a subscription in the last 6 months.


      Tune in to "Sun Moon" on Pure Flix May 5th & Enter our Giveaway! #SunMoonMIN #MomentumInfluencerNetwork


      Your Home for Wholesome Faith & Family Streaming Pure Family. Pure Fun. Pure Faith. Discover more at www.pureflix.com

      Disclosure: Many thanks to Pure Flix for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own.

      Wednesday, April 19, 2023

      Celebrate Mother's Day with a Lemon Crunch Cake from MacKenzie Limited! #gourmetdesserts

      Mother's Day is fast approaching! Celebrate your mother with something as sweet as her. MacKenzie Limited has a wide variety of desserts to choose from, and personally, our favorite is the Lemon Crunch Cake. This gourmet dessert is the perfect way to show your appreciation for all the love and care that Mom has given you over the years and a great way to celebrate her with family and friends. We like it as an all-around crowd pleaser because it’s the perfect amount of lemony sweetness and buttery crumb topping. Not to mention it’s light and refreshing for springtime, too. As for delivery, the cake arrives so beautifully wrapped that even the packaging is a delight! 

      Wednesday, March 29, 2023

      Tune In to "Miracle at Manchester" on Pure Flix March 31st & Enter our Giveaway! #MiracleAtManchesterMIN #MomentumInfluencerNetwork



      Join us to watch Miracle at Manchester, an incredibly powerful film based on a true story from Pure Flix! Miracle at Manchester airs on March 31st, and if you're tuning in, get ready to be inspired. Pure Flix is one of the best streaming services available right now and the number one place to find quality Christian television shows and movies for the whole family. If you need hope in times of distress, watch this film & be reminded of God’s strength & sovereignty!

      Saturday, March 25, 2023

      Support Your Baby's Brain Development with Sensory Play #CreativeKids #motorskills #languageskills #developmentalplay

      As a pediatric therapist, I'm always interested in finding quality developmental toys that target important speech, language, cognitive and motor milestones. Early sensory play is a critical experience which is often overlooked by parents. It helps to build important foundational skills in infants, toddlers and pre-schoolers. This week, I gave the Creative Kids Sense and Grow Sensory Magic Tissue Box a try with my little one as we worked on object permanence, joint attention and motor skills. It was a fast favorite for him and allowed us to play together in many different ways. 

      Wednesday, March 22, 2023

      Create an Eggs-tra-ordinary Easter Brunch with MacKenzie Limited! #smokedsalmon #holidayhosting


      Easter is just around the corner! One of our favorite family traditions is hosting a special brunch to spend time together and enjoy the holiday. This year, we're taking Easter brunch to a new level with MacKenzie Limited gently smoked salmon with a special hardwood blend. Their large salmon tenderloin is incredibly flavorful, with a hardy portion size that will feed a crowd. It's super tender and so delicious that it's hard not to sneak a few bites here and there as we prepare for our guests! In addition to the taste, one of the best things about having our salmon delivered is the amount of time it saves us. We loved bringing in the box from the front porch and getting right to work on our menu. I've included three of our own meal ideas for you below, but the possibilities are endless with this delicious fillet.

      Thursday, March 16, 2023

      Improving Health with "Breast Cancer Smoothies: 100 Delicious, Research-Based Recipes for Prevention and Recovery"


      A cancer diagnosis is never an easy thing to grapple with. Personally, I felt as though I was in a fog for weeks. Information from doctors' visits came and went in my head and I found myself scared to do so many things, for fear it was the cause of my unexplained cancer. Nutrition was the scariest. What was okay to eat? What may make my cancer spread? Logical or not, these were the thoughts that swirled in my head 24/7. When a friend of mine shared about Breast Cancer Smoothies: 100 Delicious, Research-Based Recipes for Prevention and Recovery by Daniella Chace, it was like a small part of the weight had been lifted. This book has so much information about proper nutrition based on the type of breast cancer that you've been diagnosed with that it feels like a road map for meals. I truly enjoy working my way through these delicious recipes and feel like I'm doing good for my body each step of the way. (Of course, each person should consult with their doctor when making individualized nutrition decisions.) 

      Monday, March 13, 2023

      Tune In to "A Thousand Tomorrows" on Pure Flix February 24th & Enter our Giveaway! #AThousandTomorrowsMIN #MomentumInfluencerNetwork

      You're going to want to join Pure Flix for this next series! Episode Five of A Thousand Tomorrows airs on March 17th on Pure Flix, one of the best streaming services out there right now and the number one place to find quality Christian television shows and movies for the whole family. The series “Karen Kingsbury’s A Thousand Tomorrows” is a show about redemption, forgiveness, devotion and transformation. Cody and Ali find a love so rare and so powerful and they make the most of everyday they have with each other.

      Wednesday, February 1, 2023

      Tune In to "Heaven Sent" on Pure Flix February 3rd & Enter our Giveaway! #HeavenSentMIN #MomentumInfluencerNetwork

      If you haven't joined Pure Flix yet, you don't know what you're missing! It's one of the best streaming services out there right now and the number one place to find quality Christian television shows and movies that you'll enjoy watching with your whole family. Pure Flix offers adult series as well as children's programming, such as the beloved Veggie Tales.  

      I've had the pleasure of previewing the film called "Heaven Sent" and it will renew your faith in loveThe film is by AFFIRM Originals and it's available on Pure Flix on February 3, 2023. Check out the trailer below... 



      About the Film
      “Heaven Sent” is a romantic comedy about re-finding love later in life and rediscovering joy after loss. It's a dynamic and heartfelt story about love at different stages of life. Featuring Karen Abercrombie from War Room, An Angelic Christmas, and more and Charlene Tilton from Dallas, this is an all-star cast! 


      My Thoughts
      This film is so heart-warming and will have you cheering for every one in the cast. There are so many relatable themes, especially the feeling of trying to make your own life in your twenties and the making peace with getting older and finding new purpose and happiness in your fifties and sixties. It pulled me in from start to finish.

      Additional themes throughout the film...

      • Letting go of our children/grandchildren

      • Family over fame

      • Finding love after loss

      • Miscommunication

      • Grace during misunderstandings


      Cast List

      • Karen Abercrombie, Elise, (WAR ROOM, DISCARDED THINGS, AN ANGELIC CHRISTMAS, GOD’S COMPASS)
      • Jemarcus Kilgore, Derek, (DISCARDED THINGS, Black Lightning)
      • J. Leon Pridgen II, Patrick Briggs/Ellerman, (DISCARDED THINGS, P-Valley, TRINITY GOODHEART)
      • Charlene Tilton, Pam, (Dallas)
      • Michael J Patterson, Kenny
      • Maurie Moore, Corrine
      • Elizabeth Byland, Theresa
      • Gary Dourdan, Jeff, (CSI: Crime Scene Investigation)

      Synopsis
      Elise, a grandmother hurt by her past, and Patrick, a widowed pastor, have closed the door on love. But with faith and a little help from technology, will their live-streamed romance find a way? 


      You'll likely connect with these Bible Verses throughout the show:

      • "Love is patient, love is kind.It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." – 1 Corinthians 12:4-7 (NIV)
      • “We love because he first loved us.” – 1 John 4:19 (NIV)
      • “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” – Colossians 3:13-14 (NIV)


      About Pure Flix

      Pure Flix is a one-stop shop for faith and family-friendly movies and shows where you can confidently stream in your home with the entire family. With new premium and exclusive original entertainment choices every week, Pure Flix streaming service has the largest variety of high-quality, curated, positive, encouraging, wholesome movies, series and kids' content in one service. Pure Flix is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sony Pictures Entertainment, alongside AFFIRM Films.

      Win It!
      The generous people of Pure Flix have offered to giveaway one three-month subscription to a lucky Across the Avenue reader. Enter below for your chance to win! This giveaway is limited to US winners only, and only to those who have NOT won a subscription in the last 6 months.


      Tune in to "Heaven Sent" on Pure Flix February 3rd & Enter our Giveaway! #HeavenSentMIN #MomentumInfluencerNetwork


      Your Home for Wholesome Faith & Family Streaming Pure Family. Pure Fun. Pure Faith. Discover more at www.pureflix.com

       Disclosure: Many thanks to Pure Flix for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own.